The first draft of a comprehensive update of the City of Knoxville zoning ordinance has been published online, and it will be presented for public feedback at a community meeting at 5:30 p.m. tonight, March 22, at the Public Works Service Center, 3131 Morris Ave.

The full draft is available online at recodeknoxville.com. The Camiros consulting team assisting in the update will give an overview of the draft ordinance at tonight’s meeting. 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 tonight’s meeting, the Camiros 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 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 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.