Cocke County commission approves multiple rezones, zoning changes, insurance switch and appointments
Loading...
Summary
At a regular meeting, the Cocke County Commission approved four rezoning requests, two zoning amendments (cryptocurrency mining rules and campgrounds as a special exception), an insurance-plan change, and several appointments and reappointments.
At a regular session of the Cocke County Commission, members voted to approve four rezoning requests, adopt zoning amendments governing cryptocurrency mining and campgrounds, approve a change to the county employee insurance program, and confirm several appointments to county boards.
The commission voted to rezone four properties recommended by the planning commission: 4830 Cooper Highway (Map 127 partial 128.02) from R-1 residential to C-2 general commercial; 1190 Old Asheville Highway (Map 057 partial 009.12) from C-1 neighborhood commercial to I-1 industrial; and two Old Asheville Highway parcels (Map 057 partial 009.01 and Map 057 partial 010.09) from A-1 agricultural to I-1 industrial. Commissioners moved and seconded the motions and members responded verbally and by voice vote; the chair announced each motion "passed."
The commission also approved a zoning resolution amending Article 5 (zoning district section 7.b) to establish special-exception requirements for cryptocurrency mining operations, with commissioners citing power usage and potential noise impacts as reasons to regulate siting and operational limits.
Separately, the commission approved an amendment to permit campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks as a special exception in the A-1 (agriculture/forestry) zoning district; county staff said the amendment establishes a path for legal, permitted campgrounds where none currently exist in the code.
On personnel and administrative matters, commissioners confirmed appointments and reappointments, including Phil Morgan to the Cocke County Planning Commission (four-year term commencing Oct. 20, 2025), Jonathan Templin to fill a vacancy on the planning commission (term commencing Oct. 20, 2025), Rick Vassar to fill another planning-commission vacancy (term commencing immediately), and newly constituted membership for the Cocke County budget committee (terms commencing Sept. 1, 2025). A lease to replace copy machines used by the archives division was approved.
The commission approved a resolution authorizing Cocke County to terminate its current health, dental and vision insurance plans effective Dec. 31, 2025, and to enroll in new coverage effective Jan. 1, 2026; the motion passed on a roll call.
Votes on these items were taken either by voice vote or roll call as noted in the meeting record. Several items were approved by roll call with all present members voting yes; the appointment of Rick Vassar was recorded as passing 8–2.
Ending: The meeting record shows the commission handled the listed agenda items in a single session and then moved to miscellaneous reports and an executive-session notice before adjourning.
