Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Blount County hearing draws divided public on proposal to lower cluster-development open-space requirement to 30%
Summary
At a July 10 zoning public hearing, residents and housing professionals split over a proposed amendment to Section 7.2(c) that supporters said would reduce required open space for cluster developments to 30% and opponents said would harm natural resources and contravene local planning goals.
The Board of County Commissioners of Blount County, Tennessee, held a zoning public hearing July 10 on a proposed amendment to Section 7.2(c) of the county zoning resolution to revise the open-space requirement for cluster developments. Supporters urged the change as a way to increase attainable housing; opponents warned it would worsen erosion, flooding and undermine the county’s comprehensive plan.
Supporters said the change would allow smaller, lower-cost homes. Austin Penton, a Maryville resident and member of the National Association of Realtors, said he supported “the motion to reduce the green space down to 30%,” and told commissioners that reduced open-space rules make homes financially accessible for local workers. “They purchased a home at under a $150 a foot…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
