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Commissioner Fox plans ordinance addressing foreign-only purchase restrictions on county property
Summary
Commissioner Fox said he will propose an ordinance (item 44) aimed at preventing covenants or purchase restrictions that bar American buyers from properties in Knox County, citing concerns about purchases near sensitive sites. He asked legal staff to review preemption and Fair Housing Act implications and will defer the item for further study.
Commissioner Matt Fox told colleagues he will introduce an ordinance (item 44) to limit real property practices that would prevent American citizens from buying land in Knox County, citing concerns about foreign-only covenants and purchases near sensitive sites such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
"For any property that's in route that's in Knox County, an American citizen should always have the opportunity to buy property in their own country," Fox said, framing the ordinance as intended to protect local purchasers. He referenced a Loudoun County controversy involving restrictive covenants and said he had asked county counsel to review legal implications, including possible conflicts with the Fair Housing Act.
Fox also observed that the Tennessee General Assembly has preempted much of this field, saying "I think the General Assembly though has taken that off our plate," and acknowledged that state law may limit the commission's options. He said the ordinance will be researched and likely deferred to the December agenda for further study.
Next steps: Fox will work with legal counsel to identify what county-level restrictions are legally permissible; the item was discussed at the agenda review and will return for formal consideration after counsel's input.
