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Development Data Plans and Studies Publications |
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About the MPC:
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The Metropolitan Planning
Commission (MPC) was established in 1956 by Knoxville and Knox County
as the agency responsible for comprehensive county-wide planning and
administration of zoning and land subdivision regulations and remains
so today, except for the town of Farragut. Funding for MPC activities
comes primarily from city and county appropriations and from federal
grants for specific studies. The Commission --
The Planning Commission is comprised of 15 members; seven members appointed by the Mayor of Knoxville and eight members appointed by the Knox County Executive and confirmed by the Local Government Planning Committee, Tennessee State Planning Office. Commissioners serve four-year staggered terms, without compensation. An appointed executive director and a staff of forty work in three divisions: Comprehensive Planning, Development Services and Information Services. MPC staff also provide assistance to the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization, that serves Knox and urbanized portions of Blount County. In addition, MPC works with the Knox County and Knoxville Historic Zoning Commissions. The Metropolitan Planning Commission meets the second Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the Main Assembly Room, City-County Building. Eight members constitute a quorum. The Commission's annual meeting is held in October of each year or as determined by the chair.
Organization Departments and Services
The Commission appoints an executive director to fulfill assigned City Charter and state law responsibilities and tasks requested by officials of city and county government or their agencies. The executive director oversees the work program and staff activities, works closely with public and private agencies to obtain input into planning studies, and serves as technical advisor to the Planning Commissioners and to the Board of County Commissioners and the City Council. The executive director appoints three division directors: a Comprehensive Planning director, a Development Services director, and a director of Information Services to lead MPC's three major departments and to oversee a professional staff of forty persons. The Comprehensive Planning Division studies community growth patterns and prepares land-use plans that guide the agency policy reflected in the five- and fifteen-year plans. Transportation, economic development, and recreation are part of the work of this department. The Development Services Division administers the city zoning ordinance, county zoning resolution, and subdivision regulations. Applications for rezoning, use on review, subdivision and sector plan amendments are reviewed monthly and a recommendation regarding each application is prepared. Amendments to the One Year Plan are reviewed quarterly with recommendations made in April, July, October, and January. The department is responsible for published notices, posting of notices on property, and community meetings concerning pending applications. The Information Services Division provides computer mapping, graphic, public relations, and reference services to the agency. The Geographic Information System (GIS), a computerized database and mapping system operates from this Division. The Information Services Division assigns addresses for city and county streets and land parcels. MPC graphic design and publications are also part of the work. Keeping current statistics, reports, and maps is an integral activity of this Division which closely coordinates with programs of citizen information and participation. The MPC Library is a source and clearinghouse for all published information and reports. Citizens who need or desire information regarding population, housing, employment, transportation, neighborhood organizations, and much more may avail themselves of the services of the library.
Authority Title 13 of the Tennessee Code authorizes municipal and regional planning commissions to regulate land use and conduct other planning activities. As a regional planning commission, MPC has the following authority and responsibilities. Prepare and adopt a General Plan that places under a single cover, long-range policies for land use, utilities, recreation, transportation, public facilities, and other concerns. Review subdivision regulations and site plans, approving those proposals that encourage the harmonious development of the community and create conditions favorable to health, safety, convenience and prosperity. Prepare and recommend zoning ordinances and maps for the city and county. Review proposed zoning amendments and advise legislative bodies on the appropriate zoning action. Review proposed capital improvements, and advise the appropriate legislative body regarding project necessity, feasibility and compliance with long range plans; and, promote coordination between various agencies and different levels of government. The Knoxville City Charter further requires the Knoxville Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission to prepare five- and 15-year comprehensive development plans. Each sector plan MPC prepares for the city contains these elements. The Charter also requires MPC to annually update the land-use policies that form the legal basis for zoning decisions in Knoxville. These policies are embodied in the One Year Plan and effectively link zoning and comprehensive planning. In 2002, the City Charter was amended to require MPC to prepare an annual report on the preservation of historic structures and districts within the city. MPC performs special purpose studies and analyses of significant issues commissioned by city or county government, e.g. voting district boundary revisions, impact studies for major development proposals, and annexation studies. A Capital Improvements Program is submitted to the city each year that includes capital expenditures for the ensuing fiscal year, the capital budget, and a projected five-year capital improvements program. Capital improvement programs specify the location, timing, priority, estimated cost and financing method of public capital expenditures. MPC makes recommendations to the Knoxville City Council on all capital improvements. E-mail comments or questions to: contact@knoxmpc.org This is not a legal document. It does not replace or amend the existing procedures and regulations governing the publication of agency information. If you have questions, please contact MPC by telephone at (865) 215-2500. |