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Residents raise noise and safety concerns; county gives update on billboard zoning lawsuit
Summary
At the Sept. 16 meeting residents urged the commission to address excessive noise from cabins and short-term rentals and asked for a three-way stop on White School Road; Director James Temple said the county filed suit over billboard signage in July 2024 and expects a court date in early 2025.
During the Sept. 16 Sevier County Commission public comment period, two residents urged the board to take steps on local safety and nuisance issues.
Tammy Browning told commissioners she is experiencing excessive noise on her multigenerational property caused by nearby cabins and short-term rentals and said local law enforcement cannot enforce noise complaints because the county does not have a noise ordinance. She asked the commission to consider measures to control noise from short-term rental properties.
Sarah Gibson described repeated dangerous vehicle approaches on White School Road near Pleasant Hill Church after GPS systems route tourists onto River Divide Road. Gibson asked the commission to consider converting the intersection into a three-way stop or installing additional signage to prevent crashes.
Vice-Mayor Bryan McCarter said the Safe Streets for All grant is being used by local stakeholders and government agencies to identify road and infrastructure needs across the county and could inform fixes over the next five to 10 years. Commissioner G. Haggard asked which committee would handle the noise-ordinance request; Chairman Larry Waters said he would check and follow up.
Separately, in other business Commissioner H. Pitner requested an update on billboard signage along Boyd’s Creek Highway. Director James Temple reported the county filed a suit in Sevier County Chancery Court in July 2024 and that the billboard company owner appeared at a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting contesting the county’s position; the matter will return to the zoning board and a court date is expected in early 2025.
The board did not take policy action on noise control or road changes at the meeting; residents’ requests were recorded and the chairman indicated he would determine the appropriate committee for follow-up.
