KTA encouraged to engage in city comp plan update; board discusses a separate transit vision study

KNOXVILLE — Commissioners were briefed on the city comprehensive plan update led by Knoxville‑Knox County Planning and learned a consultant team based in Philadelphia is assisting the effort. The board heard the draft plan is expected by the end of the year and that the first round of public engagement meetings will begin in late April.

A commissioner said KTA should be involved because land‑use decisions affect transit and ridership, and suggested the agency pursue a separate forward‑looking transit vision study to identify what transit should look like in 20 years. Staff (Doug) said he would check whether Tennessee Department of Transportation or other programs have open calls for planning grants and staff would follow up with potential funding sources and procurement approaches if grant opportunities exist.

Next steps: staff will share comp plan engagement notices with commissioners and will report back on possible grant opportunities and the feasibility of a dedicated transit vision study.