Administration says pause will give Mayor-Elect Betsy Henderson and incoming commissioners time to review the proposal and community feedback.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Smokies.LIVE Information Center) — Knox County is pressing pause on work surrounding its proposed Unified Development Ordinance, giving Mayor-Elect Betsy Henderson and incoming County Commissioners time to become familiar with the proposal before deciding how to move forward.
The decision comes after the second draft of the proposed zoning map generated significant interest and feedback from residents and property owners across Knox County.
The current administration says its goal throughout the process has been to protect property rights while raising development standards across the county.
Because the project is expected to extend beyond the current administration’s term, county officials say the transition period will allow the incoming administration and County Commission to review the work completed so far and determine the appropriate next steps.
“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,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.
“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. Pausing the work now will give the next administration the opportunity to fully understand the proposal, gather more community feedback, and make informed decisions about how to proceed.”
Community Feedback Continues
The pause does not mean residents have to stop weighing in.
Knox County residents can continue submitting comments and concerns about the proposed zoning map and Unified Development Ordinance.
Comments can be submitted through Advance Knox or by contacting the project team at contact@advanceknox.org.
The incoming administration and County Commission will ultimately determine the next steps for the proposed ordinance and zoning map.
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