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North
Planning District
About North
The North District includes clean, green, safe, and beautiful neighborhoods, many with rich architectural character and legendary histories. Families of all types, cultures, and backgrounds find ample job, educational, and housing opportunities. Locally-owned stores and restaurants are in thriving walkable, neighborhood business districts. Formerly blighted properties are transformed into places to work, play, and learn.
North District Workshop #2 -
What We Heard
Future Land Use
Future Land Use Map: Connecting Places, People, and Activities
The Future Land Use Map is a vision for Memphis’s future. It’s not a set of strict rules, but rather a guide that reflects the kind of places and activities we want to see in our city as it grows. It’s about creating a community that works for everyone.
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What do the Letters and Numbers indicate?
The letters indicate Place Types, which makes Memphis unique. And the numbers indicate the highlighted places in the neighborhood.
Memphis 3.0 organizes the city into six Place Types—categories that help us understand and plan for the unique character of different areas. Each Place Type is designed to reflect how people live, work, and interact with their surroundings.
A : Anchors: Vibrant, walkable hubs at the heart of accessible, well-connected communities, filled with mixed-use spaces where people can live, work, and play.
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AN : Anchor Neighborhoods: Walkable, connected neighborhoods that support and complement the Anchors.
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CM : Communities: Residential areas that make up the majority of the city, where people live and build their lives.
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CR : Corridors: Auto-oriented commercial strips with retail and services designed for easy access by car.
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SP : Special Uses: Areas focused on industrial, logistical, or transportation activities, often with large blocks and fewer intersections.
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PC : Parks and Civic Spaces: Natural areas, parks, schools, and institutions that serve as gathering places for the community.
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Other Highlighted Places: Some topics or needs are specific to certain places, and that’s what makes them deserving of special attention.
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An extended explanation can be accessed here.
Land Use
Summary of Community Feedback
Staff Analysis
A
Anchor Neighborhood Main Street
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Future: Walkable, mixed-use centers with house-scale buildings lining main streets, serving as moderate-intensity anchors for surrounding neighborhoods.
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Existing: Commercial node surrounded by single-family, duplexes, vacant lots and institutional uses.
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More neighborhood-friendly uses supporting existing residents are ideal.
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Would like to see commercial development at Jackson and Thomas intersection.
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Zoning should allow for a mix of neighborhood-supporting uses – low-intensity commercial.
AN
Anchor Neighborhood Mix of Building Types
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Future: Walkable neighborhoods within a 5–10-minute walk of a Community Anchor, featuring a mix of single-unit and multi-unit housing, with potential for low-intensity commercial uses along corridors.
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Existing: Single-family detached and attached and vacant lots
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Emphasis on Uptown that a variety of quality housing that is affordable is desired and at a higher density.
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It was also expressed that existing housing types should be maintained.
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More apartments are undesirable.
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Zoning should permit housing that is affordable and attainable for community residents. The anchor neighborhood is a mix of single-family detached and attached and multifamily. Infill development should continue this pattern.
1. CHELSEA & THOMAS
Land Use
Summary of Community Feedback
Staff Analysis
A
Anchor Neighborhood Crossing
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Future: Small, walkable mixed-use centers with house-scale buildings embedded within residential neighborhoods, providing convenient services and community gathering spaces.
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Existing: Commercial uses consisting of vehicle repair shops, a corner store and community center
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Would like to see a mix of restaurants, grocery stores and retail in Firestone area.
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Desire kid-friendly center for neighborhood children.
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Desire extension of MATA services to Firestone area.
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Want to see more homeownership and programs helping homeowners.
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Zoning should encourage neighborhood-supporting commercial uses.
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There is a lot of opportunity for development adjacent to the anchor and in overall area. Across from the anchor (SW) are razed lots that may have previously served industry. Low intensity mixed-use zoning could elevate area to what community envisions.
AN
Anchor Neighborhood Primarily Single-Unit
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Future: Walkable neighborhoods within a 5–10-minute walk of a Community Anchor, consisting mainly of single-unit housing, with a focus on preservation and infill development.
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Existing: Mostly single-family homes and vacant lots with a few attached residential throughout
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Increased ability for homeownership.
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Beautification and community policing were emphasized as illegal dumping and drag racing are persistent issues.
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Zoning should permit an environment that allows for greater number of housing units that are affordable and attainable for community residents.
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Numerous vacant residential lots west of I-40 provide opportunity for housing mix that can help stabilize area and add more “eyes on the street” that act as natural crime deterrent.
SP
Special Uses – Industrial Flex​
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Future: High-intensity industrial areas with large-scale manufacturing and industrial uses, typically located near highways and freight infrastructure.
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Existing: Vacant lots, warehouses and MLGW utility
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*Former location of Firestone plant and current brownfield.
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Zoning should allow for redevelopment of industrial area but be mindful of residential stability if residences are near. In the case of abutting residences, implementing lowest-intensity industrial (EMP) is prudent.
2. FIRESTONE & BREEDLOVE
Land Use
Summary of Community Feedback
Staff Analysis
A
Anchor – Neighborhood Main Street
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Future: Walkable, mixed-use centers with house-scale buildings lining main streets, serving as moderate-intensity anchors for surrounding neighborhoods.
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Existing: Commercial mix of retail, office, restaurant (Tops) and a few vacant buildings/lots
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Uncertainty about relevance of this anchor.
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Opportunity to add park space to lots on southside.
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Recommended greenspace be added along Lick Creek.
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Gateway suggested near N Bellevue.
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Zoning should remain mixed use considering variety of uses lining the corridor; current development pattern is mostly reduced setbacks that is representative of main street environment. Infill should continue this pattern.
3. JACKSON & WATKINS
Land Use
Summary of Community Feedback
Staff Analysis
A
Anchor Neighborhood Crossing
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Future: Small, walkable mixed-use centers with house-scale buildings embedded within residential neighborhoods, providing convenient services and community gathering spaces.
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Existing: Mix of commercial uses including vacant gas station site, single-family residential, and a community center
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Comments made that this should not be an anchor; not able to attract activity.
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Prefer to see more stable housing here instead of commercial.
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Could see mixed-use development.
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Do not want to see anymore gas stations in the area.
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Zoning could be mixed-use friendly encouraging neighborhood-supporting commercial.
4. JACKSON & EVERGREEN
Land Use
Summary of Community Feedback
Staff Analysis
SP
Special Uses – Industrial Flex​
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Future: Lower-intensity industrial areas with mixed-use potential, compatible with nearby neighborhoods and suitable for light manufacturing and services.
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Existing: Auto repair businesses, retail and vacant lots
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Keep industrial zoning away from residences.
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Need traffic calming to prevent speeding and drag racing.
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Illegal dumping on N Watkins.
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Downzone properties along Chelsea and at intersection to lower-intensity commercial.
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Need remediation at Cypress and Lick Creek.
Zoning should promote uses that complement waterways in the area and numerous properties in the floodplain. Any uses in the area should be sensitive to environmental impact and if development occurs it should support resiliency.
PC
Parks and Civic Spaces – Open Space and Natural Features​
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Future: Natural areas focused on preservation and passive recreation, including wildlands, wetlands, and waterways.
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Existing: Vacant lots, floodplain property
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Cleanup and utilize Kilowatt Lake as recreational resource.
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Desire recreation center for senior citizens.
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Would like to see beautification along N Watkins.
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Interested in sustainable garden in area.
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Zoning should encourage recreational uses and support green/open space especially floodplain areas to the northeast and northwest.
5. CHELSEA & N WATKINS AREA
Land Use
Summary of Community Feedback
Staff Analysis
A
Anchor – Neighborhood Main Street​
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Future: Walkable, mixed-use centers with house-scale buildings lining main streets, serving as moderate-intensity anchors for surrounding neighborhoods.
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Existing: Mostly retail including a gas station and vehicle service
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Would like to see more diverse uses at intersection.
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Code enforcement needed along Chelsea between Tunica and Lambert St. (revive commercial uses).
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Use previous Shannon Elementary as community resource center (health clinic, office space, government services).
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Springdale and Chelsea should include commercial mix.
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Need a grocery store and farmers market in the area.
Zoning should allow for a mix of neighborhood-supporting uses including low-intensity commercial and community resource opportunities.
6. CHELSEA & N HOLLYWOOD AREA
Land Use
Summary of Community Feedback
Staff Analysis
A
Anchor – Neighborhood Crossing​
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Future: Small, walkable mixed-use centers with house-scale buildings embedded within residential neighborhoods, providing convenient services and community gathering spaces.
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Existing: Douglass Community Center and Park
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Would like to expand anchor boundary from Douglass Park extending south along Ash to Chelsea St.
Zoning should capitalize on community resources and activities happening in the park area and combine that with potential occurring on Chelsea.
AN
Anchor Neighborhood Crossing - Primarily Single-Unit​
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Future: Walkable neighborhoods within a 5–10-minute walk of a Community Anchor, consisting mainly of single-unit housing, with a focus on preservation and infill development.
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Existing: Mostly single-family detached and attached and vacant lots
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Interested in apartments overlooking Douglass Park similar to developments at Shelby Farms; should be affordable for low-moderate income individuals and families.
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Specify rules for Infill to be contextual.
Zoning should permit diverse housing that attracts greater number people to the community that also helps with stabilizing neighborhood.
7. DOUGLASS PARK
Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning & Development
Comprehensive Planning Department
125 N Main Street, Ste 468
901-636-6601
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