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Commissioners debate flexibility of downtown grid vs. boulevard zoning as staff recommends denying DKB rezoning on West Vine Avenue

5834290 · September 9, 2025

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Summary

Planning staff recommended denying a request to rezone a West Vine Avenue parcel from the Downtown Knoxville Grid (DKG) subdistrict to the Downtown Knoxville Boulevard (DKB) subdistrict, and commissioners discussed whether a special-use path could offer flexibility while preserving the grid—s pedestrian-oriented aims.

Planning staff recommended denial of a rezoning request to change a property on West Vine Avenue from the Downtown Knoxville Grid (DKG) subdistrict to the Boulevard subdistrict (DKB), saying the property does not match the boulevard context. A staff member (planning staff) summarized differences: DKG is intended for traditional 300-by-300-foot grid areas with frequent building entries, greater transparency and a 0–5 foot build-to zone, while DKB permits larger setbacks (up to 25 feet), more blank walls, and allows ground-floor residential uses. The staff member said recent nearby projects illustrate the distinction: Lone Tree Pass (mixed use with ground-floor commercial) aligns with DKG intent, while a 2022 rezoning to DKB produced an exclusively residential building at Kafago Place and Locust Street.