A community meeting for the Recode Knoxville zoning ordinance update will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, at the City of Knoxville’s Public Works Service Center, 3131 Morris Ave.

The consultant team assisting in the update will present the first draft of a proposed new ordinance. Immediately following the presentation, the public will be encouraged to ask questions and provide comments to the consultants, City staff and Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) staff in an open house format. Changes will be made to the initial draft based on input from staff and community members, and a final draft will be presented to Knoxville City Council later this year. 

In addition to the March 22 community meeting, there are two other opportunities for the public to learn more about the first draft.

The next Recode Knoxville Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, in the Small Assembly Room of the City County Building. Mayor Madeline Rogero, City Council members and MPC planning commissioners have been invited to attend and participate in a discussion about the first draft with the Stakeholder Advisory Committee members, the Camiros consultant team and MPC staff.

The Recode consultant team and MPC staff will also present information about the draft ordinance during a workshop at the 2018 Neighborhood Conference on Saturday, March 24. Held at the Knoxville Marriott, 501 E. Hill Ave., from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., the conference draws up to 700 neighborhood advocates and will host 80 information booths, additional workshops and more. More information about the conference and how to register can be found at www.knoxvilletn.gov/conference.

“It’s important that the public continues to participate and provide comments throughout the duration of the project,” said Gerald Green, MPC Executive Director. “The ordinance will help shape Knoxville for the next 20 to 40 years, so it is important to share your comments and concerns before the final draft is presented to City Council.”

Knoxville’s zoning code hasn’t undergone a thorough review in nearly 60 years, and this update will allow the City to adopt modern standards. It also will help protect and enhance Knoxville’s sense of place over the next few decades.

Knox County is projected to add 170,000 residents by 2040, and this update of the City’s zoning ordinance will help prepare the community for that growth by striking a balance between protecting historic characteristics of neighborhoods and creating standards that encourage dynamic growth. It will encourage investment, protect valued community assets, and support connectivity among people and places.

For more information, please contact Gerald Green at 865-215-3758 or [email protected]. You can also sign up to receive updates on the project at www.recodeknoxville.com.

Anyone needing a disability accommodation to attend the March 21 Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting, the March 22 public meeting or the March 24 Neighborhood Conference should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Stephanie Cook, at [email protected] or 865-215-2034. For an English interpreter, contact the City Law Department at 865-215-2050.


COMMUNITY MEETINGS UPDATE:

Staff from MPC has received requests from the organizers of several neighborhood groups to present information about Recode at their upcoming meetings. If you're part of one of these neighborhood organizations we encourage you to attend to learn more!

April 2, 6 p.m.: O’Connor Senior Center
April 17, 6 p.m.: Woodlawn Christian Church 
April 19, 6 p.m.: Cumberland Estates Rec Center 
April 26, 6 p.m.: Deane Hill Rec Center

If you're part of another group or organization that would like MPC staff to join a meeting to share information about Recode, please contact Gerald Green at [email protected] or 865-215-3758.