Are Your Property Rights At Risk? A Look At Knoxville

The right to own property is a fundamental freedom that, although protected from federal and state governments, local governments seize on and manipulate through zoning laws.

In Knoxville, Tennessee, there is a battle over one proposed local ordinance that seeks to completely change what you can and cannot do with your property. That ordinance is known as RECODE Knoxville.

The Knoxville Overhaul

RECODE Knoxville, seeks to fundamentally change the city’s entire zoning designations. Zoning is a powerful tool used by municipalities to control what property owners may and may not do with their property. It also may determine the amount of taxes you pay per year, and limit what you can build on your land.

The proposed ordinance is on its 5th draft. The city council had to postpone the vote twice this year. The recent May 30 vote was also postponed until July.

Residents pointed out that this postponement shows that the ordinance is not ready to be voted on and is being rushed. Knoxville’s Current Mayor, Madeline Rogero, is term-limited and cannot seek reelection.

In an interview, Rogero stated that “Recode is a comprehensive update of Knoxville zoning ordinance to incorporate modern planning practices . . . the goal is to have a clearer and more consistent land use code.

At a recent televised debate, Marshall Stair, who is currently running for Mayor of Knoxville, has come out in support of updating the city’s zoning ordinance. Watch below:

 

Is RECODE Knoxville just delayed property tax increase?

Steve Hunley, the publisher at an influential and prominent local newspaper, The Knoxville Focus, has been covering RECODE since the ordinance first came to light. His coverage of the ordinance slowly dissects how RECODE could impact property owners. In a publication called “Deconstructing Recode Knoxville,” Hunley outlines his details.

Hunley claims that the ordinance “will increase the cost of new commercial buildings.” Additionally, “many other designs, PR, and marketing claims made by Executive Director Gerald Green and the planning commission have also been found to be questionable.” Hunley continues to write that the ordinance’s mixed-used design violates the Americans with Disability Act.

Hunley also warns of the impact RECODE could have on property taxes. “Will your property be upzoned? If it is, your property tax will go up. How is any of this fair?” Hunley also asks residents to consider whether they want an Accessory Dwelling Unit apartment next to their home. If so, it would lead to more taxes and the increased population density would have an impact on your commute home and your ability to find parking.

Hunley said, “Recode has become similar to Obamacare. We have to pass it to find out what’s in it. We’ll fix it after we pass it.”

Why Zoning Laws and Property Rights Matter

It appears that nobody can for sure explain how RECODE Knoxville will affect property rights and whether new zoning designation may lead to a property tax increase. If property value increases, you will most likely pay more in taxes. However, if property values decrease, will you pay less? Probably not. Whether or not a city government should gamble with property rights is in the hands of the residents who live in that city.

If this ordinance passes, it would fundamentally change the lives of its residents. Whether it is for better or for worse is not yet seen or predictable.

Is there is a zoning ordinance update happening in your town? It may be a good idea to pay attention and understand what is happening. It may be a good thing or it may have a significant negative impact. However, more people, less parking, and less breathing room haven’t really left anyone happy. Is your town next?

Related posts

27 comments

online slots real money June 30, 2020 at 12:47 am

online slots

ocean casino online nj

casino online games for real money July 2, 2020 at 3:42 am

big fish casino online

casinos online

natural viagra July 3, 2020 at 10:45 pm

viagra online prescription

viagra dosage

real money casino app July 6, 2020 at 4:38 am

best real casino online

casino games online

slot machine games July 8, 2020 at 10:15 am

online slots real money

parx casino online

tadalafil 20mg July 11, 2020 at 1:31 pm

cialis pills

tadalafil 40 mg

cash loans July 13, 2020 at 6:36 am

no credit check loans

short term loans

short term loans July 16, 2020 at 6:36 am

installment loans

pay day loans

loans online July 19, 2020 at 7:52 am

cash advance

personal loan

viagra cost July 22, 2020 at 9:08 am

viagra prescription

viagra pills

cialis 5 mg July 25, 2020 at 8:49 am

new cialis

cialis buy

cialis to buy July 29, 2020 at 7:52 am

generic for cialis

cialis generic

cialis 5 mg July 31, 2020 at 5:43 pm

cialis 5 mg

new cialis

5 mg cialis August 3, 2020 at 7:00 am

new cialis

cialis buy

5 mg cialis August 6, 2020 at 1:37 pm

20 cialis

cialis to buy

casino online August 9, 2020 at 12:36 pm

free slots online

casino

casino online games August 13, 2020 at 4:10 am

slot machines

casino slot games

best online casino real money August 16, 2020 at 8:31 pm

online casino

online casinos

gambling games August 20, 2020 at 7:21 pm

casino online slots

casino slots

viagra viagra August 23, 2020 at 7:39 pm

viagra without doctor

order viagra

purchase viagra August 25, 2020 at 10:16 pm

canada viagra

viagra viagra

viagra samples August 28, 2020 at 10:02 pm

viagra without a doctor prescription

online viagra

purchase cialis September 1, 2020 at 9:35 am

cheap tadalafil

buy tadalafil online

buy generic cialis online September 5, 2020 at 9:22 am

generic tadalafil

cialis tadalafil

rivers casino September 15, 2020 at 7:03 am

rivers casino

chumba casino

slots real money September 18, 2020 at 10:57 am

online slots

vegas casino online

Buy generic viagra November 19, 2020 at 11:50 am

Usa viagra sales

Buy viagra australia

Leave a Comment