[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6318461,"mediaKeyId","2365770-9d875ab491d88e77b7e0455d484bd38a","parentId",2365770,"title","County mayor outlines road repairs, river cleanup and disaster grants as recovery priorities","audioSeconds",409,"startMs",1016000,"endMs",1425000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2365770-9d875ab491d88e77b7e0455d484bd38a&start=1016&end=1425","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2365770-9d875ab491d88e77b7e0455d484bd38a/thumbnail_1016000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6318461/Cocke-County/Tennessee/County-mayor-outlines-road-repairs-river-cleanup-and-disaster-grants-as-recovery-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318461-065c8ae33e9b9e1d6dfb2a66a3254048/orig.mp4?Expires=1775497383&Signature=mopjZrLxCQIYv7W7qZcLbdC-PHD-Zw0OP9xvae8H3NlRpJbrFI0mxt6VpgOOvTB3rN4hIpg13P~FbJX9Bz~S3snHMGxqP~Fvucy6Ah1GQwndczuY649ddwX94kKcbryAb~JAM~gIpF~OanpUxB94WjmwwnoiYLyYrbO66N-uZdwV2dejGnYc1t9fI8eZdfs3rvN-OqMSo2vvzrBSUF6EwAwESTr0yN0OrD89vrR2eMHlO3Z5v~xhDp1R1L6Hwcq6pr7QoFNtgD9bwiI6WG-YPQDwskF544mRVQnKUenXFH26Il1xJuDUiJ9PB2R2YfNy9vPLZEL2hEm-HpaV32lfMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cocke County, TN","date","2025-02-21T03:31:33.71Z","article","County Mayor Joe Mathis updated the Cocke County Legislative Body on recovery operations related to recent flood damage and stressed the county's continuing need for federal and state assistance.

\"The most calls about is the roads,\" Mathis told commissioners, and then outlined estimated repair costs for several damaged roads: Rock Hill Road (bids awarded; estimated $500,000), Trail Hollow Road (bid awarded; estimated $1,000,000), Waterville Road (engineering phase; estimated $2,000,000), Hartford Road (about $500,000) and Fugate Road (about $400,000; riverbank stabilization not approved due to railroad right-of-way issues). Mathis said the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has awarded funding to help with riverbank stabilization on multiple projects but that some work remains contingent on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permitting.

Mathis said rivers cleanup has moved about 600,000 cubic yards of debris out of East Tennessee waterways, with roughly half of that volume removed from Cocke County. He told commissioners engineers and FEMA personnel recently conducted joint inspections of the county annex and jail to determine whether buildings are repairable; results of structural reinspection were to be reported to federal agencies.

The mayor and commissioners discussed operating-cost pressure caused by displaced inmates and scattered county offices, with Mathis estimating operating expenses could increase by \"millions\" for the remainder of the fiscal year. Mathis also reported that the county is coordinating with federal officials and members of Congress; he said Senator Blackburn had written to FEMA leadership on behalf of Cocke County.

Commissioners approved resolutions allowing county staff to apply for Tennessee Housing Development Agency funding: a $1,000,000 Home Disaster Recovery grant (noncompetitive, no local match required) and a 2025 Home Rehabilitation grant. The commission also received a report on the Mountain Strong relief fund and a related public-private partnership that, Mathis said, has distributed more than $1,048,000 to 109 homeowners and 39 businesses to date.

Commissioners were told some federal programs for businesses remain limited to Small Business Administration loans. Mathis asked for continued coordination with federal and state partners and said the county will pursue available grant and reimbursement opportunities while preparing required documentation for reimbursements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cocke County Legislative Body CLB Meeting February 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County Mayor Joe Mathis detailed damage estimates and federal coordination for road and river repairs, reported more than $1 million distributed from a local relief fund and won commissioner approval to apply for Tennessee Housing Development Agency disaster recovery grants.","taxTitle","Cocke County, Tennessee","taxId",52281,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6318466,"Commission directs county attorney to review Tiny Homes development after planning commission recommendation",4176,135000,4311000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2365770-9d875ab491d88e77b7e0455d484bd38a&start=135&end=4311","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2365770-9d875ab491d88e77b7e0455d484bd38a/thumbnail_135000.jpg","/articles/6318466/Cocke-County/Tennessee/Commission-directs-county-attorney-to-review-Tiny-Homes-development-after-planning-commission-recommendation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318466-ea87e38b983464723f92d8c871538edc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775497383&Signature=PpxDghB0ZBWPZxTQtJBN8BDaC-2b8cAameula-qBeQJ7I3bpko39C37MfnFB2vkx0PC08sXPoHq1HP1VPM8ABgdzWlKvTQtxrUsYCMiFObUrpe5j8Krukdrvxc6UxTYwGl5gdjYqa4ipP4Q7khgONhItUAJ7srmLqzmvfSDoR0MNoOJ~nA-lLiXP7dLYvK~g8ZPnipHSg346wAJa5b3ay6ynGdnOG1rMr7XxffEYmyIvvdj423~Vzd-yhWxvFmCPZroDrWNWNF8lLimVRBKKAtgoWEIzlTu2Nd3HOKTASDT8OIZ-MsWA3qBZiRgy-aI3v3OZpIPVi7FiUyBX~fGr~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cocke County commissioners voted to direct the county attorney to review planning staff's concerns about developments marketed as tiny-home communities and to take whatever legal steps are necessary to ensure compliance with county zoning and subdivision regulations.

The action followed two public comments alleging longstanding problems with the developer and his companies. Will LaBry, who identified himself as a resident and a purchaser of lots in the areas discussed, described a pattern of incomplete infrastructure and promised amenities that were not delivered. \"He is selling to you to pay for the house that I paid him for 6 months ago,\" LaBry said, and urged commissioners to \"stop this man from doing what he's doing.\"

Riva Fox said she has been involved with the planning commission on the same project and alleged that Incredible Properties LLC and related entities have used attorneys to issue trespass orders against residents who spoke publicly. Fox asked the legislative body to forward the planning commission recommendation to the district attorney's office for review and to ensure the companies hold appropriate state licensing.

Planning staff told commissioners the developer had been asked repeatedly to submit a planned-unit-development package and preliminary engineering plans required for the existing level of density and infrastructure; staff said packets of other materials were provided but not the specific preliminary plat and engineering drawings requested. Planning staff said their concern centers on public-safety items including road width, emergency access, water and fire-protection infrastructure, and the adequacy of utility service extensions.

County Attorney Doug Overby advised the commission on a recommended motion: to direct the county attorney to review the matter, consult with county officials and take such steps as are reasonable and necessary to assure compliance with applicable zoning and subdivision regulations and state law, including, if warranted, litigation. Commissioners adopted amended wording and recorded a roll call approving the direction to the county attorney.

The commission did not announce any immediate enforcement steps beyond the directive to the county attorney. Planning staff and commissioners said staff and legal review would provide the factual basis for any subsequent action.","Following months of complaints and public comments alleging noncompliance by a tiny-home developer, the commission asked the county attorney to review the matter and take steps necessary to ensure compliance with zoning and subdivision rules, up to litigation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6318469,"Cocke County approves rezoning, requires earlier filing for rezoning requests and adds flood zones to public map",2964,10000,2974000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2365770-9d875ab491d88e77b7e0455d484bd38a&start=10&end=2974","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2365770-9d875ab491d88e77b7e0455d484bd38a/thumbnail_10000.jpg","/articles/6318469/Cocke-County/Tennessee/Cocke-County-approves-rezoning-requires-earlier-filing-for-rezoning-requests-and-adds-flood-zones-to-public-map","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6318469-b8b2dc284a2b00b85fa911e2fb1e2c68/orig.mp4?Expires=1775497383&Signature=k-v74RkvQ6tgvHVe9ChL-BG-SSuEeDtn~64lNYP20FInR1x3Ar3-cKz-qP7-dXi-tKjmiJUmZoHzlGZMOx3OWZX1rH7~P5HZophcnruGEo6jYd5hlD3LB1F6Ns6EnLh6e2eGJ0tRksYeR0b880pinWK3MAHWx9KcyzEm5AF4BZMON-s8JKrodc7YYah2F0w4Vqkm8Y8HdrFfRZ7Igh3cuIuesoNN8WBHoTsWoESqtAzD8WzED4asGU4mk1GY4UISrW1CpyviGcnIi~F0PaMZsXha0L4Uc1a3vxxmN44hz2kE8ex3A8Nci4nmw7gwjvQXYUOiYP1yVKD9R307A7Lc0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cocke County commissioners on a single motion night approved two rezoning requests, adopted a change requiring earlier submission of rezoning materials to the planning commission and added flood-zone boundaries to the county's online property viewer.

The most immediate actions were votes to rezone 2912 Cosby Highway (Map 93 Parcel 158) from R-1 to C-1 and to rezone a parcel on Catherine Road (Map 84K Parcel 27) from R-1 to C-2. The Catherine Road rezoning was approved with the condition that Catherine Road be upgraded to county collector-road standards before further development proceeds. Planning staff told the commission those items had been considered by the planning commission and forwarded with recommendation.

County commissioners also approved an amendment to the county's zoning procedures that requires anyone requesting rezoning to file all documents with the planning commission at least 25 days before the next scheduled planning commission meeting; the change also codifies a requirement that signs be posted on the subject property and on surrounding parcels informing the public that a rezoning application is pending. Commissioners said the new timeline is intended to ensure adequate public notice and time for planning staff review.

In a separate vote commissioners approved adding Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood-zone layers to the county's zoning/property viewer so that members of the public can see whether a parcel lies within a mapped flood hazard area. Planning staff said the change does not alter zoning designations; it updates the map viewer to display existing floodplain data.

Commissioners debated a related measure to amend the Cobb County Flood Damage Prevention resolution so that the county's floodplain administration would be managed from the county mayor's office beginning in the next budget year. The proposal drew questions about who would staff and fund the position. Several commissioners and the property assessor said the role would likely require hiring at least one additional, trained staff member and associated equipment. County Mayor Joe Mathis said the county lacks current capacity and would need budgetary runway to absorb the duties.

The discussion included concerns about timing and cost: commission members and the county mayor described multiple options for funding (reallocations, using short-term disaster funds) and emphasized the need to train a new administrator before transferring duties. The commission did not record implementation details in committee documents; planning staff and the mayor said funding and staffing would be addressed in the next budget cycle to avoid service gaps.

Votes at the meeting recorded roll calls for each item; planning staff confirmed the rezoning requests and the procedure and map updates had been forwarded from the planning commission for legislative action.","The county approved two rezoning requests, amended its filing and sign-posting rules for rezoning petitions and added flood-zone layers to the public property viewer. Commissioners also debated moving floodplain administration into the county mayor's office; that discussion drew concern about cost and capacity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County mayor outlines road repairs, river cleanup and disaster grants as recovery priorities

Commission directs county attorney to review Tiny Homes development after planning commission recommendation

Cocke County approves rezoning, requires earlier filing for rezoning requests and adds flood zones to public map