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Cocke County approves multiple rezoning requests, adds flood zones to map; proposal to move flood administrator fails
Summary
The commission rezoned parcels on Cosby Highway and Catherine Road, adopted a 25-day submission requirement for rezoning applicants, added flood zones to the county zoning map, and rejected a proposal to move the Flood Plain Administrator under the County Mayor.
Cocke County commissioners voted Feb. 18 on several land-use and zoning items, approving rezoning requests and procedural changes while rejecting a proposed change in floodplain administration.
The body approved rezoning 2912 Cosby Highway (Map #093 Parcel #058.00, formerly the Front Porch Restaurant) from R-1 to C-1 on a motion by Jason McMahan, seconded by Bill Miller. The commission also approved rezoning a parcel on Catherine Road (Map #084K Group A Parcel #027.00) from R-1 to C-2 for future development, conditioned on bringing Catherine Road up to collector-road standards; that motion was made by Andy Ford and seconded by Bill Miller.
Commissioners also voted to amend the zoning resolution to require rezoning applicants to submit documents to the Planning Commission at least 25 days prior to the next scheduled Planning Commission meeting so signs may be posted to notify surrounding properties. That procedural change passed on a motion by Rick Vassar, seconded by Jeff Eslinger.
On flood-related actions, the commission approved adding flood zones to the current zoning map (motion by Billy Hudson, seconded by Rick Vassar). Separately, a proposed amendment to Cocke County Flood Damage Prevention Resolution (#930) that would have placed the Flood Plain Administrator under the County Mayor's purview (effective next budget year, with the current flood administrator to assist in transition) failed on a recorded vote of 5 ayes, 6 nays, 3 absent.
Why it matters: Approvals change allowable land use for specific parcels, impose a new procedural timeline for rezoning applicants, and update the zoning map to include flood zones; failure of the flood-administrator reassignment maintains the current administrative structure for floodplain compliance.
Next steps: Approved rezoning conditions (such as road upgrades) will need to be met before development proceeds; the county clerk’s office and Planning Commission will implement new filing timelines and sign-posting requirements.
