The Neighborhood Conservation (NC-1) Overlay establishes a process to protect the character, identity and heritage of a community. The purposes of an NC-1 Overlay District are to preserve and protect the existing neighborhood character and to encourage new development that is compatible with existing architecture in the district.

What does an NC-1 Overlay Do?

• Does NOT change existing zoning; i.e. IHP will remain single family residential
• Does NOT regulate interior remodeling or exterior paint colors
• Does NOT require changes to existing structures; all existing structures are "grandfathered in"
• Does NOT regulate future changes to the exterior architectural details of existing buildings

• Gives neighborhood a voice in guidelines and regulations
• Works to preserve character of neighborhood
• Protects and enhances property values
• Prohibits demolition of existing structures without special review
• Requires new construction and additions to meet overlay design guidelines

• Design guidelines must be created and adopted. These set requirements for the general exterior physical design of new construction and additions. A neighborhood committee is leading the development of design guidelines.
• Draft guidelines are distributed to property owners. Neighborhood meeting are held to review draft guidelines, and the committee revises guidelines based on neighborhood input and feedback.
• When all concerns about the guidelines have been addressed, property owners receive one vote per property owned. Property owners will be notified by registered mail. The NC-1 ordinance requires at least 51% of property owners responding approve the designation.
• Creating a zoning overlay requires the same process as a rezoning. MPC staff will have one or more informational meetings at a time and place convenient to the neighborhood. These workshops may result in changes to the initial proposal before it goes to the Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission and the Planning Commission.
• Historical Zoning Commission approval, followed by MPC approval, and then City Council approval. The Planning Commission and City Council can approve the overlay, reject it, or approve it with modifications.

• Demolitions, new construction, and additions must be approved by the Historic Zoning Commission. The Historic Zoning Commission has delegated approval authority for most requests to the MPC staff (see attached table).
• The neighborhood appoints liaison to HZC. The liaison is notified of any pending requests within the NC-1 boundaries, and can speak for the neighborhood at HZC meetings.