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County holds hearings on two rezoning requests and debates zoning ordinance amendments
Summary
Commissioners heard public hearings on map amendments and a zoning regulation revision — including a request to rezone land for boat sales — and discussed rules requiring resubmission to regional planning if the county amends proposed ordinance language.
Jefferson County commissioners held public hearings on three zoning matters during the quarterly work session and discussed the procedural steps required if the commission alters proposed text.
The first hearing, Resolution 2025-15, would amend the county zoning map to change property from C-2 (general commercial) to A-1 (agriculture/forestry). County staff explained that a 2006 rezoning left an entire parcel at C-2 even though only part was intended to be commercial; the rezoning correction is intended to allow permitting where appropriate. A county staff member confirmed the item as presented.
The second hearing, Resolution 2025-19, concerns a request by property owner John Hunt Morgan to rezone the front portion of his property from rural resort to C-2 for commercial boat sales and boat service. "He is wanting to do commercial sales for boats and a boat service on the property," staff said. No speakers at the hearing reported opposition.
The third item, Resolution 2025-14, is a proposed set of zoning regulation amendments that would clarify permitted and prohibited uses in A-1 and C-2 districts. Staff reported the planning commission approved the amendment with changes; the municipalities of Dandridge and Jefferson City denied it, and WIPON approved with suggested deletions (for example, removing mobile home parks from a prohibited uses list and removing or changing a temporary use definition). Because municipal and regional planning bodies provided differing recommendations, commissioners discussed procedures for handling revisions.
County planning staff and counsel advised commissioners that they may vote on the resolution as presented regardless of regional recommendations, but if the commission amends the submitted language it must send the changes back through the regional planning review process before final adoption. "If you amend it, it has to go back through that process," a planning official said. Commissioners considered voting next week to send an amended resolution to the regional planning commission for review.
Why it matters: Zoning changes affect land use, property values and permitted business activity. Commissioners emphasized adherence to statutory process and the regional planning commission review when changes are proposed after initial submission.
Ending: Commissioners closed the public hearing on these items and scheduled further action; in at least one case staff said the item will be considered again next week after completing the procedural steps discussed in the hearing.
