Planning News

Featured News20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011Press Releases
11/30/2020

Annual Report Highlights Major Projects

Our latest Annual Report highlights the completion of several major studies, plans, and other projects. For more information on what was wrapped up, and what we're working on now, read the full report. 
11/9/2020

Hillside Protection Overlay In Use

The Hillside and Ridgetop Protection Plan was codified in the City of Knoxville as the Hillside Protection Overlay when the new zoning code went into effect on January 1, 2020. Now administered by Planning, the process requires a formal application and fee. 
You can use the new speaking request form in order to participate in the monthly Planning Commission meeting. You can also contact staff for help and submit comments on a case directly to the Planning Commission using online forms.
Let us know what you think about Knox County's Planned Residential (PR) zone! Because it is the most frequently requested zoning district in the county, we want to determine if changes are needed to things such as minimum development area, landscaping requirements, and submittal requirements. Help us determine what is working well and identify areas for future improvement by taking a short survey. The survey will be open through Wednesday, November 18.
Knoxville-Knox County Planning is looking for a creative and dedicated planner to join our team. This is an entry-level position in the Planning Services Division which administers development regulations and processes applications for rezoning, use on review, subdivision and sector plan amendments for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. This division also studies community growth patterns and prepares plans that guide agency policies.
As a companion to the recently released technical report, staff completed a story map that presents the same information, but with interactive maps and in a format that is screen reader compatible.
Planning offices will be closed Monday, 9/7, in observance of Labor Day. Offices will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 9/8, with regular business hours.
Chelsea Foster recently joined us as an AmeriCorps Member. Over the next year, she will manage bicycle and pedestrian counts and present information to area high school driver’s education classes and is looking forward to getting more involved in planning processes and community engagement. Help us welcome Chelsea!
The review process for the Infill Housing Overlay District has been changed, and all applications are now reviewed by the Design Review Board. This change gives Planning staff the flexibility to thoroughly discuss applications prior to the formal meeting. 
Over the past year, three staff members have earned advanced professional credentials. Help us congratulate Michelle Portier and Craig Luebke for passing their AICP exam, and Tarren Barrett for receiving her PE certification!
Terms on the Planning Commission typically last four years, but many commissioners serve more than once. We want to extend a special thanks to the individuals who dedicate countless hours to ensure we are preserving unique community characteristics while encouraging good, smart development. 
Both the Agenda Review (8/11) and Planning Commission (8/13) meetings will take place electronically in accordance with Governor Bill Lee's Executive Order Number 51.
Chase started working with us part-time in October 2019 and transitioned to full-time earlier this month. We're excited to see the contributions he makes to our projects that need GIS support. Help us welcome him!
Amy Brooks, Planning Services Manager, has been selected as Planning’s Interim Executive Director beginning July 11th and will serve in this role until a permanent Executive Director is named.
What is it that makes Knoxville an affordable and attractive place to live, raise a family, and own a business? Browse through the 2020 Facts & Figures Report to find out. 
The July Planning Commission Agenda Review and Monthly Meeting will be held electronically.
July brings the retirement of two of our finest - Tom Brechko and Gerald Green. Take a minute to read about their accomplishments and help us wish them well. 
Knoxville and its updated zoning ordinance are featured in the latest edition of Zoning Practice, which explores recent trends in industrial zoning.
Interested in exploring recent building permits in Knox County? We have a new tool that makes it easier than ever.
Planning's Executive Director will give a presentation to Knox County Commission in June about local trends as the county continues to grow and change. He will also touch on some of the challenges that local residents and decision-makers will have to address in the coming years. Read on for more information and to see the presentation.
In early April, the Planning Commission lost a valued member with the passing of Mac Goodwin. In his absence, we welcome Sandra Korbelik to the commission.
Though trends are somewhat different, residential construction returned to levels seen prior to the 2008 recession. Non-residential building had a strong year, too. 
Knox County's senior population is expected to continue growing quickly as the last of the Baby Boomers enter their senior years. With this growth, the resources they need will experience greater demand, causing communities to consider new strategies to accommodate them. 
Are you familiar with Planned Developments? This new zoning tool went into effect with the city's new zoning ordinance and an amendment to the county's and is already being utilized by developers in the community. 
Both the Agenda Review (4/7) and Planning Commission (4/9) meetings will take place electronically in accordance with Governor Bill Lee's Executive Order Number 16.
If you attend any of our local colleges or universities and you live outside of your family home, you hold the power to respond to the 2020 Census! Your families can’t count you as living in their households – you need to complete the Census as a resident of your at-school housing.
Rezoning requests scheduled for the March County Commission meeting have been rescheduled for the Commission's April 27 meeting.
Knoxville-Knox County Planning is looking for a creative and dedicated planner to join our team. This is a professional planning position in the Planning Services Division which administers subdivision regulations and processes applications for rezoning, use on review, subdivision and sector plan amendments for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. This division also studies community growth patterns and prepares plans that guide agency policies.
In mid-March, homes across the country will begin receiving invitations to complete the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail.
Edward T. McMahon, with the Urban Land Institute, is coming to Knoxville on March 19 to talk to local residents and officials about “The Dollars and Sense of Smarter Development.” – As Ed puts it, “the market is changing, so is the development paradigm.”
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is coming to town to share news about an upcoming study. They will be looking at a range of multimodal solutions along the corridors of interstates 40 and 81.
The Traffic Access and Impact Study Guidelines and Procedures have not been significantly changed in more than 20 years. Because of this, staff from Planning, City and County Engineering have clarified aspects and policies that were previously unclear. There are also procedures that were in practice but not addressed in the Guidelines that have now been formally incorporated.
Anita Kramer of the Urban Land Institute was in town for a real estate trends and forecasting event. We joined her during some downtime to talk about Knoxville and emerging trends.
The One Year Plan forms the legal basis for zoning decisions and is updated annually. This year's update gets underway in February, and three public meetings have been scheduled. 
Planning was recently named a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Business by the League of American Bicyclists. Learn more about the designation, and make your next trip to see us by bike!
Knoxville-Knox County Planning Executive Director Gerald Green announced his resignation earlier this week. Green has been in the position since 2015 and has brought major changes to the agency in that time.
City Council approved a new zoning ordinance and map for the City of Knoxville in August 2019. Both the ordinance and the map went into effect on January 1, 2020.