Blount County residents urge caution as zoning hearing considers cutting open-space rules for cluster developments
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Summary
Residents at a Jan. 8 Blount County zoning public hearing urged commissioners to reject or revise a proposal to reduce open-space requirements in cluster developments, citing traffic, strained schools, stormwater and permanent loss of farmland; no vote was taken.
The Blount County Board of County Commissioners held a zoning public hearing Jan. 8 on a proposal to amend Section 7.20(c) of the county zoning regulations to lower open-space requirements for cluster developments. The chair opened the hearing, confirmed a quorum and invited public comment under a three-minute limit.
Several residents told commissioners they support measured growth but urged against reducing required green space. Jamie Best, a District 4 resident, said denser clustering is already overwhelming county roads, adding, “I don't want our country roads to become 4 lanes.” She argued against concentrating large numbers of houses on small acreage and said she wanted fewer housing units and apartments in Blount County.
Tony Saddy, a District 7 resident and local business owner, raised traffic-safety and enforcement concerns. Saying he has seen “more accidents” and “erratic behavior,” Saddy asked the commission to set parameters or enforcement measures to protect county roads, while noting he was not blaming the sheriff’s office.
Jasmine Satterfield, a District 7 resident and business owner who described family ties to Cades Cove, urged the commission to prioritize infrastructure before permitting denser development, warning that “once these green spaces are gone, they're gone forever.” She tied reduced open-space requirements to potential increases in stormwater runoff, school overcrowding and longer emergency response times.
Josh Waters, founder of the Appalachian Heartland Foundation, said he recently inherited land in Blount County and plans to advocate for a local farmland-preservation initiative modeled on a "farmland act" adopted in 2025 in Davidson County. Waters told the commission he would circulate details by email and said he would work with landowners to protect parcels from subdivision.
The hearing record shows no motions or votes on the proposed amendment during the session; the chair closed the public comment period and adjourned "without objection." Commissioners did not state a timeline for further action on Section 7.20(c) during the public hearing.
The public hearing focused on potential local impacts of allowing denser cluster developments, including transportation, stormwater and public services. Residents asked the commission to ensure infrastructure and school capacity are addressed and to consider farmland-preservation tools before reducing open-space requirements.
