The Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission reviewed a preliminary memorandum from the county attorney that traced practice and statute on who may sign subdivision plats, focusing on two‑lot subdivisions and Tennessee Code Annotated 13‑3‑402.

The county attorney’s memo cites TCA 13‑3‑402 and related subsections, which allow a regional planning commission to delegate approval of subdivision plats to planning staff or designees under limited conditions. The memo summarized earlier local practice: meeting minutes from November 2006 show a motion designating a county official to sign plats, and both historic practice and recorded plats indicate staff or a designee have routinely signed two‑lot plats for many years.

"For at least 20 plus years, Tennessee code...has permitted an RPC to delegate approval of subdivision plats of certain number of lots," the memorandum said, prompting discussion of whether the commission should formalize a new designee now that a previous designee is no longer in office.

Planning staff told commissioners they commonly certify compliance with subdivision regulations and then forward plats for signature. Staff and counsel advised that the secretary of the planning commission or another designee (often the commission chairman) traditionally signs plats; CTAS (County Technical Assistance Service) attorneys confirmed staff approval is common practice.

Commissioners discussed whether the delegation should be restated in a local resolution that explicitly authorizes the planning staff to approve two‑lot plats and names the chairman as an alternate signer if the secretary is unavailable. Several commissioners favored such a resolution to avoid delays in closings and recording.

The commission voted to carry the item to the next meeting while county counsel completes further historical research and clarifies whether older statutory versions require a different signatory practice. A motion to roll the item to the next month passed without objection.

Ending: Commissioners instructed staff and county counsel to finish the legal review and recommended drafting a concise resolution that would authorize planning staff to approve two‑lot plats and designate the chairman as alternate signer for recorded plats.