Commission approves PR1 rezoning for flood-constrained Rutledge Pike parcel, limits access to 3 Points Road

Knox County zoning commissioners approved a rezoning on July 20 that modifies zoning for a 3.44-acre property that includes substantial floodplain and a no-fill red line. Planning staff had recommended denial of the requested PR up to two dwellings per acre because roughly one acre of the property lies in the floodway and environmental constraints are significant.

The applicant (Viet Ventures LLC, represented in the hearing by Don Ariant) said the property’s configuration and floodway location made a rezoning useful to give flexibility in how the property could be subdivided; he said his company saw three potential additional building sites in the area outside constrained zones. “That would just allow for more flexibility in how it’s subdivided to be able to put an additional dwelling,” the applicant said.

Commissioners and staff discussed the hundred- and five-hundred-year floodplain maps and a red line that marks a no-fill area; staff estimated roughly 1.6 acres of the parcel lie outside that no-fill boundary and could be built on. Given the extent of constraints, commissioners supported a lower-density PR option that permits clustering to keep development away from the creek.

A motion passed to approve PR at one unit per acre (PR1) for the parcel, allowing clustering of the units on the buildable portion. Commissioners also added a condition that all access be from 3 Points Road and that there be no access to Rutledge Pike. The motion carried on open vote.

Staff and the applicant indicated subsequent subdivision review will apply environmental and floodplain constraints to any specific site plan; the approval provides zoning flexibility for clustering while preserving the no-fill area near the creek.