Blount County holds public hearing on Regional Comprehensive Plan; resident urges denser housing to preserve green space

Blount County commissioners held a public hearing May 13 on the county's Regional Comprehensive Plan, prepared by Inspire Placemaking Collective and adopted by the Blount County Regional Planning Commission. The plan has been published on the county website for review, and the board scheduled a presentation and additional public comment for a June 12 workshop where a vote is anticipated.

The hearing drew one public speaker. Pat McGill, a resident of District 4, said she had not read the entire document but welcomed portions that, in her view, directed growth toward areas of higher density while preserving green space. "It's a lot, 248 pages," McGill said, adding that concentrating growth "still allows to have our green spaces a little bit farther out." She said denser housing in designated areas could make room elsewhere for farmland and scenery.

McGill also urged the board to consider housing that is attainable for local workers, citing teachers, ambulance drivers, EMTs and nurses. "I hope that... we will be able to build some houses that will be attainable for our teachers and our ambulance drivers and our EMTs and our nurses at the hospital," she said.

A presiding official opened the hearing and told the public the plan is available on the county website, noting the online PDF can be downloaded from the main page and pointing out the document's cover image. The official said the consultant will attend the commission workshop on Thursday, June 12 at 6 p.m. to answer questions and that the board anticipates voting on the plan at that meeting. The official also said there will be an additional opportunity for public comment at that workshop.

No formal motions or votes were taken during the hearing. After public comment concluded, the presiding official closed the public hearing. The meeting record shows the board reminded commissioners of other committee meetings scheduled earlier in the week and that the new library director would be available before a separate meeting at 5:30 p.m.

The hearing record and the published plan indicate the next formal step is the June 12 commission workshop where the plan will be presented, the consultant will be available to answer questions, and commissioners may vote on the plan. The plan itself and any subsequent board action will provide greater detail about recommended land-use changes, transportation considerations and implementation steps.