Cocke County legislative body rescinds 2023 zoning resolution, adopts revised zoning plan to "cure" open-meetings lawsuit

The Cocke County legislative body voted 11-3 to rescind Zoning Resolution 11-07, originally adopted Sept. 26, 2023, and to adopt a revised zoning plan and map, a measure county retained counsel John Owens said is intended to "cure" an alleged Tennessee Open Meetings Act defect and help end a lawsuit filed after the 2023 vote.

Why it matters: the vote is designed to address the procedural flaw alleged in litigation and, if effective, to reduce continuing legal costs. Commissioners and planning staff said the zoning plan also establishes rules for setbacks, uses and the process for future rezoning requests, changes that affect property owners, businesses and economic development prospects in Cocke County.

The vote and how it came to the floor A motion to combine two related agenda items (rescinding Resolution 11-07 and adopting a revised zoning text and map) passed earlier in the meeting by roll call, 12-2. The primary motion to rescind the earlier resolution and adopt the revised zoning plan was moved by the vice chair of the legislative body and seconded by Commissioner Jason…