The development plan includes proposals for land use and transportation improvements. The plan will serve as a guide for growth, and for making zoning and subdivision decisions for the East City Sector in the next 15 years.

In general, land use patterns are well established and growth can take place through infill and reinvestment, avoiding changes in land use. The following areas are in transition, and many need increased investment. They include predominantly non-residential components, but the community is supportive of the addition of quality, well-designed housing. Opportunities for vibrant, mixed-use communities are numerous.

Areas that are experiencing change

• Knoxville Center Neighborhood, including Washington Pike and Millertown Pike
• I-40 Industrial Corridor, N. Cherry Street to Rutledge Pike
• Empowerment Zone, including 5-Points, Magnolia Avenue and Chilhowee Park/Knoxville Zoo
• Broadway Commercial Corridor
• Asheville Highway/I-40 – Exit 394
• Burlington Business District
• Forks-of-the-River Industrial Park, adjacent to East City Sector

Additional low and medium density residential development, such as Georgetown, should be established around the perimeter of the commercial core. Apartments and/or offices above first floor retail and flexible live/work units should also be included in appropriate locations.

We propose a change in the future land use designation for three of these areas:

1. Empowerment Zone, including 5-Points, Magnolia Avenue and Chilhowee Park/Knoxville Zoo
2. Asheville Highway
3. Knoxville Center Neighborhood

Summary of changes:

1. Empowerment Zone, including 5-Points, Magnolia Avenue and Chilhowee Park/Knoxville Zoo—Some privately owned commercial and single family residential property is slated for acquisition as part of the Long-Range Master Plan for Chilhowee Park, during Phase 2-5. For remaining parcels, mixed-use development, including vertical mixed-use, is recommended with emphasis on the character of development, to ensure compatibility with existing neighborhoods.

2. Asheville Highway—Additional office space should be allowed fronting Asheville Highway. These parcels should be designed and landscaped in a way that compliments adjacent residential properties.

3. Knoxville Town Center Neighborhood—The loss of low-density residential land is expected when the Washington—Millertown Pike roadway improvements are realized. The community’s vision for this area is outlined in the special development opportunity portion of this plan. Changes in land use are outlined in the Land Use Plan Map.

(A) Recommended Development: Mixed-Use Development should be pedestrian friendly mixed use, including vertical mixed use, with a detailed development plan depicting lower intensity transition to south and west. Commercial, office and residential could be vertical. Development of property within the triangle, as well as contiguous properties, should be planned for as part of this concept.

(B) Conventional Development If property develops in a fashion similar to the Isaiah’s Landing site, with a joint rezoning request, high intensity commercial development should occur “within” the triangle area: north side of Millertown Pike, east side of Washington Pike. Office/MDR will serve as buffer, providing a lower intensity transition to the south and west. The Memorial Wesleyan Church would serve as a stopping point for office development, west of the church should be residential.

(C) Least Preferred Development If redevelopment/rezoning occurs parcel by parcel with no overall developer (piecemeal), property with road frontage to Millertown and Washington Pike should be used for Office/MDR. This concept should only be followed if the property owners within the triangle do not reach an agreement with developers to consolidate the parcels.

View maps for options A, B, and C above.