KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Knox County is putting the brakes on a proposed zoning overhaul affecting agricultural land following significant public feedback and concerns from farmers and property owners.
Mayor Glenn Jacobs announced Friday that the county will pause work on the proposed zoning changes tied to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), giving Mayor-Elect Betsy Henderson and the incoming Knox County Commission an opportunity to review the proposal and determine next steps.
According to Jacobs’ office, the decision comes after widespread interest and feedback generated by the second draft of the proposed zoning map.
“The second draft of the proposed zoning map has generated significant interest and feedback from residents and property owners throughout Knox County,” a statement from the mayor’s office said. “The administration’s goal throughout the process has been to protect property rights while elevating development standards across the county.”
The Unified Development Ordinance is part of Advance Knox, the county’s long-range 20-year growth and development plan. One of the most closely watched components of the proposal would shift agricultural properties into a new default zoning category known as Rural Residential.
Under the current agricultural zoning designation, residential development generally requires a minimum lot size of one acre. Under the proposed Rural Residential classification, qualifying properties of five acres or more with sewer access could allow up to two dwelling units per acre.
Property owners would also have the option of seeking more restrictive zoning classifications, including:
- Rural Preservation, requiring a minimum lot size of 2.5 acres.
- Agricultural Rural, requiring a minimum lot size of 5 acres.
Jacobs said the lengthy timeline required to complete the zoning update made it appropriate to hand the project off to the incoming administration.
“From the beginning, we have said we want to get this right, and we are going to follow through with that, even if it takes more time,” Jacobs said. “Since we will not be able to complete this work before the end of my term, I am entrusting Mayor-Elect Betsy Henderson and the incoming County Commission to carry this work forward.”
The proposal has drawn criticism from some farmers who say they were not adequately included in the planning process and worry additional residential development near agricultural operations could create conflicts between new residents and existing farms.
Bonnie Panettieri, owner of Pygmy Harbor Farm in East Knox County, expressed concern that increased housing development around farms could negatively impact agricultural operations.
“It’d be a devastating thing to happen,” Panettieri said. “People that move in and surround farms, they don’t understand that farms do what they have to do. We do things according to what is the best interest for the animals and for the farm.”
County officials say residents can continue reviewing zoning information, submitting public comments and monitoring updates as the incoming administration evaluates the proposal.
No timeline has been announced for when the review process may resume.
