This 18-month process will be the first time Knox County has created an integrated land use and transportation plan, and it has the potential to be transformative.
It is crucial that this plan be built on the values, needs, and aspirations of people throughout the county, and be supported by good data. There will be multiple opportunities for community input and feedback throughout the process.
What
Why
Who's Involved
Timeline
FAQ
What is a Comprehensive Land Use and Transportation Plan?
A Comprehensive Plan is a long-term guide that expresses the values, aspirations, needs, and unique conditions of a community. The Comprehensive Land Use and Transportation Plan will establish an integrated vision for growth and infrastructure investment and address many related topics that impact the county’s quality of life today and in the future. The plan is a tool to prepare for change and acts as both a business plan and guidebook for decision-makers.
Why does Knox County need this plan?
In general, planning is good stewardship. Knox County has long been a place that attracts new residents, invests in jobs, and has a strong sense of community pride. It is also a place that continues to rapidly change, on track for another record-breaking year for building permits. This plan will be the first to integrate land use and community design with transportation and other topics. It will guide decisions about where and how growth occurs and where investments in infrastructure and services are made throughout the county.
Who's Involved
Consultants
Process leadership, expertise
Kimley-Horn and Planning NEXT will facilitate the process and share experience from other successful communities. Cannon & Cannon, Ninigret Partners, and Urban 3 will provide technical and subject matter expertise.
Staff
Coordination
Staff from Knox County and Knoxville-Knox County Planning will support and help coordinate the work of all other groups and provide local knowledge and expertise.
Advisory Committee
Process, substance, and community outreach
A diverse group of community members that will provide guidance on the process and substance of the plan and will serve as community advocates.
Kim Bumpas, Visit Knoxville
Claudia Caballero, Centro Hispano
Scott Davis, Eagle Bend Development & Construction
Carol Evans, Legacy Parks
Kevin Murphy, Knox County Planning Advocates
Duane Grieve, East Tennessee Community Design Center
Maribel Koella, Urban Land Institute of Knoxville
Phyllis Nichols, Knoxville Area Urban League
Mitchel Olszewski, AARP
Hancen Sale, Knoxville Area Association of Realtors
Josh Sanderson, Smithbilt Homes
Zoe Scott, Bike Walk Knoxville
Russ Watkins, Partners Development
James Artman
Peter Curtis
Crystal Fields
Gayla Guignard
Jennifer Kerr
Cassie Kiestler
Benjamin King
Cormac Mohan
Carol Montgomery
Wolf Naegeli
Richard Aaron Price
Jennifer Sepaniak
Nathan Sivley
Christopher Wade
Technical Committee
Local subject matter experts and advisors
A group of community members with specific technical knowledge that will provide direction at major milestones in the process.
Knox County Schools
Knox County Health Department
Knox County Parks and Recreation
Knox County Soil Conservation District
Knox County Sherriff's Office
Knox County Community Action Committee
East Tennessee Human Resource Agency
Tennessee Department of Transportation
Knoxville Area Transit
City of Knoxville Economic and Community Development
City of Knoxville Engineering
City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation
Knoxville Chamber
Town of Farragut
Town of Farragut Community Development
Subcommittees
Topical direction
Two subcommittees, focused on schools and utilities, and composed of members of the Advisory Committee and technical committee, will provide input and direction related to those topics.
Knoxville Utilities Board
Hallsdale-Powell Utility District
First Utility District of Knox County
West Knox Utility District
Knox Chapman Utility District
Northeast Knox Utility District
Lenoir City Utility Board
Luttrell-Blaine-Corryton Utility
Tennessee Valley Authority
School Subcommittee Representatives
Knox County Schools
Stakeholders
Targeted input
Additional topical focus groups will be convened to inform specific aspects of the plan. These groups include business leaders, neighborhood associations, real estate professionals and developers, education professionals, students, and others.
Public
Input and feedback
Community participation is vital to the plan’s success. Three rounds of input opportunities and online tools will offer a variety of different ways for the community to give input throughout the process.
Elected Officials
Monitor and adopt
County Commission will monitor the process through input and periodic briefings with the expectation to formally adopt the final plan. The Commission will have a central role in implementation through regulatory updates or funding allocations.
Project Timeline
This is a significant undertaking that will last approximately 18 months. It is expected to be complete near the end of 2023. There will be multiple opportunities for community input beginning in early 2022. The timeline is subject to change throughout the life of the project.
- November, 2021
- Project preparation begins
- December
- Countywide tour - Consultants and staff
- January, 2022
- State of the County and Future Trends - Work begins
- February
- Advisory Committee
- Technical Committee
- March
- Public Input - Round 1
- April
- Advisory Committee
- Technical Committee
- May
- Scenario Planning - Work begins
- July
- Advisory Committee
- Technical Committee
- October
- Public Input - Round 2
- December
- Advisory Committee
- Technical Committee
- February, 2023
- Draft Plan recommendations
- March
- Public Input - Round 3
- Advisory Committee
- Technical Committee
- April
- Final Plan documentation
- June
- Plan adoption
Want to know more about the process?
When will the plan be completed?
The project is anticipated to take approximately 18 months. Plan adoption is expected to take place in May 2023. A project timeline will be maintained to keep track of major milestones in the process.
What is the process for the plan to be adopted?
Advance Knox began at the end of 2021 and is expected to take approximately 18 months. To be adopted, the final plan will first be heard by the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission. It will then go to Knox County Commission and requires two readings.
How does it relate to other plans used by Knoxville-Knox County Planning?
This plan will establish policies, principles, and concepts that guide future development and preservation. It will inform land use maps, zoning, and other smaller area plans and studies. It will also update the boundaries in the Growth Policy Map that determine planned growth and rural areas, though approval and adoption of this map requires a separate process.
How can the public get involved in this project?
There will be three rounds of community engagement throughout the process. The website will share information on upcoming public meetings, surveys, and other ways to get involved, and individuals can sign up to receive email updates.
Are the City of Knoxville and Town of Farragut included in the plan?
Both jurisdictions will participate as key stakeholders and are invested in the outcome. However, the plan will apply only to the unincorporated parts of Knox County. The County planning effort will focus on coordination among the three jurisdictions and may propose planning solutions to the City of Knoxville and Town of Farragut as appropriate.