Presentation to Knox County Commission Monday, February 23, 2015

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Agnes Harris
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1 The Northwest County Sector Plan Update Presentation to Knox County Commission Monday, February 23, 2015

2 COMMUNITIES OF THE NORTHWEST COUNTY SECTOR Ball Camp Cedar Bluff Last NW Sector Update: 2003 Land Area: 77 Square Miles Requires County Commission & City Council Adoption Knox County Jurisdiction: 89.3% (City of Knoxville: 9.7%)

3 GROWTH TRENDS Population: 1990 to : 49,404 to 63, % : 63,864 to 77, % School Enrollment: Elementary Schools: 7,809 to 8, % Middle Schools: 4,576 to 5, % High Schools: 5,427 to 6, % Development Activity: 2003 to Mid-2014 Residential: 7,029 units Non-Residential: 351 projects (19 Industrial) Rezoned: 5,847acres Residential Subdivisions: 675 subdivisions creating 5,140 lots (4,078 Acres total) The Village at Hardin Valley Scripps Corporate Headquarters

4 Growth Policy Plan and New Construction ( ) Trends RESIDENTIAL Arterial road corridors, intersections, near schools. COMMERCIAL & OFFICE Near I-40, Pellissippi Pkwy, Middlebrook and Oak Ridge Hwy. INDUSTRIAL Near I-40 and in designated areas, such as WestBridge Business Park Market-based development patterns Located along major arterials Scattered distribution

5 PLAN AMENDMENTS SINCE NW County Sector Plan amendments have been approved between 2003 and Tech Corridor: 32 PA s; Remainder of NW County: 67 PA s Sector plan amendments have impacted almost 500 acres of land designated as agricultural / rural residential. In the Tech Corridor over 60% of sector plan amendments were for commercial and almost 20% were for residential.

6 TN Technology Corridor Enacted by the State of Tennessee in Tennessee Technology Corridor Development Authority (TTCDA) was created to stimulate corridor development; now serves as project review board. Tech Corridor Plan last updated in Elimination of former State Route 475 ( Orange Route ) will be part of 2015 update. Mixed use development will be recommended; land suitable for tech manufacturing is decreasing.

7 Emerging Issues 1. Sustained & Scattered Growth 2. Vehicular Transportation (System Capacity) 3. Walkability & Cycling (Sidewalks & Connectivity) 4. Schools (Growth Catalysts and Impacts) 5. Declining Land Suitable for Development (Tech Corridor Uses & Employment Expansion, Limited Road Access, Floodplains, Steep Slopes) 6. Loss of Rural Character and Small Town Feel

8 Challenges of Scattered Growth Limited resources for capital improvements are stretched over a large area (e.g. - roads, sidewalks, parks and greenways, utilities, schools) Scattered growth patterns reduce efficiency of capital expenditures. Building more to serve less. Continued rapid growth outpaces ability to pay for new or expanded infrastructure. Lack of sense of place / community centers. Loss of agricultural land and rural character.

9 Comments & Observations Thus Far Biggest concern: Peak hour & school-related roadway congestion / safety. More attention to sidewalks and greenways is needed around schools. Subdivision sidewalk installation policies were questioned. Hardin Valley Middle School requested. Hardin Valley and Pellissippi Parkway Interchange improvements are needed. Changing dynamics of tech uses. Technology Corridor: Conservation of flatter areas with highway access. Technology Corridor: Continued mixed use strategy. Reexamine and streamline TTCDA & MPC project review requirements. Solway area design guidelines: Significant Knoxville Oak Ridge gateway. Why so many sector plan amendments? Growth Plan obsolescence, market-based development decisions, new schools as development catalysts, transition from rural to suburban development densities, availability of utilities?

10 Potential Draft Plan Concepts Recognize and reinforce unique and distinct Character Areas Create Downtown Karns as a mixed use district Solway aesthetic improvements are needed Hardin Valley area community center Connected and walkable schools, neighborhoods and commercial areas: Encourage higher density activity centers that maximize existing infrastructure investments (such as roads, sewer, water lines, etc ) Encourage new public expenditures such as new sidewalks and greenways, and bike lanes. Sidewalk installation and funding policies should be reexamined. Conserve rural and agricultural character: Allow clustered development that leaves open space for conservation of farmland and other rural resources. Develop detailed environmental policies and plans for Beaver Creek watershed and steeply sloped areas Encourage and support existing farms and agricultural property uses

11 Thank You!

Corridor Goals and Objectives

Corridor Goals and Objectives This chapter presents the goals and objectives, developed by the Corridor Study Committee, that serve as the purpose and intent of the Corridor Plan. This plan covers a twenty