[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6517025,"mediaKeyId","5429397-1b44d456fc145cad3eff09670f1f7b6c","parentId",5429397,"title","Commissioners send amended open-space rule for cluster developments to planning commission after heated debate","audioSeconds",1139,"startMs",1689000,"endMs",2828000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5429397-1b44d456fc145cad3eff09670f1f7b6c&start=1689&end=2828","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5429397-1b44d456fc145cad3eff09670f1f7b6c/thumbnail_1689000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6517025/Blount-County/Tennessee/Commissioners-send-amended-open-space-rule-for-cluster-developments-to-planning-commission-after-heated-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517025-858060efaf5ae9ef30c93c68633a8207/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437756&Signature=Nt-DyK~mr1B2juRFvVByVeq10n9NXPHBXYoACI4j9sK8OtJUEQan3Jdkxcs094Lf47TC-8bavv~ZRmos3hAJkB29VS~kox724AzCTnOMvF6aHBy9UOJvJ~4aVanZaLIrHH3Z1oub9gUqvnahmoZjOVJw6GIxsA5bqQ2o4f1GxjxVoVbuxJSJVWU9Zac0boJhEXpo0CysrYbJIPGKUmNo1zWzJ1USwN2WOi7QNNgxCDGKOJU0W4gb9mcEfXup9CW0HmYFGg4y-wJH6fbCOCLSxx3oGo~aD1qt4QV4KJWQOAec3ODu26R6uGHWayomvHmzrXc3SCVgFS3IVTzqEh9gLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Blount County","date","2025-07-18T08:45:00Z","article","Blount County commissioners on July 17 voted 15–1 to forward a zoning amendment, Resolution 25‑7‑012, as amended, to the county planning commission for review. The amended language would require 35% open space for cluster developments in suburbanizing areas and retain a 40% open‑space requirement in R‑1 and R‑2 zones.

The vote followed more than an hour of public comment and extended debate among commissioners about housing affordability, rural character, and how open‑space rules affect whether cluster developments are built. Supporters of reducing the requirement said a lower percentage would allow more compact, affordable units; opponents said lowering the floor risks more sprawl and environmental harm.

Resolution 25‑7‑012 was introduced by Commissioner Wells and originally proposed changing the county's cluster development open‑space requirement. Wells said he had proposed a one‑third (33.33%) standard earlier in the review process and acknowledged some confusion over the exact figure during debate. Commissioner Giles proposed 35% as a compromise; that proposal was discussed and modified on the floor and ultimately the commission approved the version that applies 35% in suburbanizing areas and retains 40% in R‑1 and R‑2.

Public comment was sharply divided. David Hagan, identifying himself as a District 5 resident, urged commissioners not to reduce open space, warning that \"less open space means more runoff, more flooding, and also weakening our open space standards accelerates the suburban sprawl.\" Joy Nahagian, a Maryville resident, told commissioners she and others participated in the county's comprehensive‑plan workshop and asked them to \"uphold the 40% open space requirement to stay true to the comprehensive plan.\" Several other speakers, including Phil McGill and Austin Penton, urged a reduction (to 30% or similar) as a way to expand housing supply and reduce per‑unit land costs.

Commission debate covered several proposals. Giles moved to amend the resolution to 35% (that motion initially failed to reach the 11‑vote threshold). Commissioner Wells then offered an amendment to set the standard at one‑third (33.33%). Commissioner Bowers proposed and secured an amendment to that amendment to set 35% in suburbanizing areas while maintaining 40% in R‑1 and R‑2; that amendment to the amendment passed 15–1 and was applied to the main motion. The final motion — to forward Resolution 25‑7‑012 as amended to the planning commission for review and approval — passed 15–1.

Commissioners and several public speakers repeatedly noted that any change approved by the commission would return to the planning commission and other review bodies before taking effect. Commissioner Giles cited University of Tennessee research saying design and quality of open space matter as much as quantity; Commissioner Michaels warned that lowering the requirement could stimulate immediate large‑scale development and urged clearer urban growth boundaries and infrastructure planning before change.

The commission did not record individual roll‑call votes for the final 15–1 tallies in the meeting minutes; the transcript records the tallies but does not identify the lone no vote by name. The forwarded amendment must complete the planning commission review and related procedural steps before it could be enacted.

The discussion made clear the county is balancing competing objectives: preserving rural character and habitat, responding to affordability concerns raised by residents and builders, and resolving how regulatory changes would interact with infrastructure and municipal boundaries. The planning commission next will receive the amended resolution for its review and recommendation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Blount County - 2025-07-17 17.50.17 County Commission - Jul 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Blount County commissioners on July 17 voted 15–1 to forward a zoning amendment, Resolution 25‑7‑012, as amended, to the county planning commission for review. The amended language would require 35% open space for cluster developments in suburbanizing areas and retain a 40% open‑space requirement in R‑1 and R‑2 zones.","taxTitle","Blount County, Tennessee","taxId",56690,"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},6517021,"At a glance: grants and sheriff's office budget items approved by Blount County commission",162,1411000,1573000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5429397-1b44d456fc145cad3eff09670f1f7b6c&start=1411&end=1573","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5429397-1b44d456fc145cad3eff09670f1f7b6c/thumbnail_1411000.jpg","/articles/6517021/Blount-County/Tennessee/At-a-glance-grants-and-sheriffs-office-budget-items-approved-by-Blount-County-commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517021-4caa75d4ea6ade0b37c3f8786e522e70/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437756&Signature=QVgWrHuw28aerxUi5ycu~BWmUe2cgih4a8Z~mNC9HazrJkgTvi0SEi8FPw1D0WbYDtishQZLlJJhmXycAT7MRrV2iXGx5H82jbhAwOMFRY5ZtiCMedDHblgBWKlsXDVtNI1OL5UxWfWK3Oa75wTFa3u0KooHKqBI5000CK1bqysbza0UxSRbMOSEbGxJbeqFsCEozKXAhDUN-7tpRQ8nQNIKFWLGC0C5ZZraiwp6sybjCCvFaqO6YOvIWU21WTYUy0HL1GOk9ibnTJj2H18w~cEai0bDZCLD0ki3ibFbtW--GD~RxRLm0kej26bnYz4OrRvWUIefKhZLEL3aqQyGLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Blount County Board of County Commissioners on July 17 approved multiple budget and grant requests for the sheriff's office and related items. Votes recorded in the meeting minutes and transcript: 16‑0 approvals for two grant applications and two budget resolutions; details follow.

The commission approved a Blount County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) Fiscal Year 2026 school resource officer (SRO) grant application for $1,575,000. The application sought funding for 21 SRO positions at $75,000 each; no local matching funds were required. The budget committee recommended the application 5‑0. Commissioner Michaels moved to approve; Commissioner Giles seconded. The commission recorded 16 yes votes and the motion carried.

The commission also approved a BCSO FY26 litter grant application for $74,000 with no matching funds required. Commissioner Michaels moved the litter grant application with a second from Commissioner Carver; the commission recorded 16 yes votes and the motion carried.

Separately, the commission adopted Resolution 25‑7‑001, a budget increase of $230,000 for the Blount County Sheriff's Office. The funds were described as one‑time general county funds to purchase canines, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), drones, and battery backup equipment for the jail. Commissioner Michaels moved adoption; the motion carried with 16 yes votes.

The commission also adopted Resolution 25‑7‑002, a budget adjustment of $72,453 for BCSO to recognize total expenses incurred for a real‑time crime center position approved in this year's budget. The increase was to be offset by reimbursements from the city of Maryville, the city of Alcoa and 911 operations. Commissioner Michaels moved adoption; Commissioner Carver seconded; the motion carried with 16 yes votes.

The transcript records the grant and resolution motions as having been referred to the full commission with favorable budget committee recommendations (5‑0) before the full votes. The items will proceed under the county's normal contracting and grant‑acceptance processes.

Votes at a glance (items recorded in the July 17 meeting):
- BCSO FY26 SRO grant application — $1,575,000 (21 SROs at $75,000 each). Motion by Commissioner Michaels; second by Commissioner Giles. Vote: 16 yes; outcome: approved.
- BCSO FY26 litter grant application — $74,000. Motion by Commissioner Michaels; second by Commissioner Carver. Vote: 16 yes; outcome: approved.
- Resolution 25‑7‑001 — budget increase $230,000 for canines, AEDs, drones, jail battery backup. Motion by Commissioner Michaels; second by Commissioner McMahan. Vote: 16 yes; outcome: adopted.
- Resolution 25‑7‑002 — budget adjustment $72,453 for real‑time crime position (offset by reimbursements from Maryville, Alcoa and 911 ops). Motion by Commissioner Michaels; second by Commissioner Carver. Vote: 16 yes; outcome: adopted.

No commissioner recorded a dissenting vote on these items in the transcript. The record indicates the budget committee recommended each to the full commission with favorable votes. These approvals do not in themselves obligate funds until grants are accepted and contracts executed under county procedures.","During the July 17, 2025 meeting the commission approved several budget and grant requests for the Blount County Sheriff's Office and other items. All four votes recorded in the meeting were carried unanimously or by recorded tallies.","actionData","errors"]

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Commissioners send amended open-space rule for cluster developments to planning commission after heated debate

At a glance: grants and sheriff's office budget items approved by Blount County commission