KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI) – Knox County and Knoxville-Knox County Planning are inviting residents to participate in the next public meeting focused on the development of the county’s proposed Unified Development Ordinance, or UDO.
The virtual meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and will provide an update on several key components of the ongoing Advance Knox planning initiative.
Officials said participants will have an opportunity to learn about revisions to previously released materials, review newly drafted ordinance sections and examine a second draft of the proposed zoning map.
Residents interested in attending must register in advance through the project’s online registration portal.
Those unable to attend live will still have an opportunity to participate. A recording of the meeting and all presentation materials will be posted on the Advance Knox website following the event, where community members can also submit feedback.
Topics to Be Discussed
Planning officials said the meeting will cover:
- Updated Articles 4 through 7, including residential, commercial, mixed-use, industrial and agricultural/open space dimensional standards.
- Module D articles covering parking regulations, landscaping requirements, signage standards, open space provisions, infrastructure regulations and stormwater requirements.
- A second draft of the zoning map, including an interactive tool that allows side-by-side comparisons and public comments.
A public feedback survey related to the new materials will remain available through August 12, 2026.
Officials emphasized that if a property is rezoned through the UDO process, existing uses of the property would not be affected. Any new zoning classifications would apply only to future development and redevelopment projects.
What is Advance Knox?
Advance Knox is a long-term planning effort designed to modernize Knox County’s land-use and transportation policies.
As part of the process, local officials are developing a Unified Development Ordinance that would organize development regulations into a single document. The ordinance would incorporate zoning regulations, subdivision standards, street requirements, stormwater regulations and other development-related policies.
Planning staff say the goal is to create a more streamlined and understandable framework for growth and development across Knox County.
Previous public meetings have focused on proposed zoning districts, land-use definitions, development standards and other elements that will eventually become part of the proposed ordinance.
Public Participation Encouraged
Officials are encouraging residents, property owners, developers and community stakeholders to review the proposed regulations and provide feedback before the drafting process moves forward.
Anyone needing accommodations to participate in the virtual meeting can contact the Knox County Mayor’s Office at 865-215-2005.
Additional information, past meeting materials and project updates are available through the Advance Knox website. Questions can also be directed to the project team through contact@advanceknox.org.
