Balock Woods residents press county on short-term rentals and subdivision access; planning staff cite state law limits

Residents of the Balock Woods subdivision submitted a petition asking the county to address short-term rentals in their neighborhood and to consider protections for older subdivisions.

Chairman Larry Waters presented the petition to the board Sept. 15. Commissioner Rick Valentine said this is not isolated to Balock Woods and that he, Commissioner Harold Pitner and the Sevierville planning department will examine the issue and coordinate with the planning commission. Commissioner Kent Woods asked whether the county can put protections in place to protect older subdivisions from short-term rentals that may not suit the existing infrastructure.

Planning Director James Temple Jr. said the state has "passed a short-term rental act, which ties our hands on what can and cannot be done." He said the county’s office and Vice-Mayor Bryan McCarter plan to look at creating or modifying zones early next year to allow short-term rentals in some places and not in others.

During public comment on non-agenda items, Deborah Baydean of Highland View Drive asked the board to consider adding an appendix to the International Fire Code that would require developments of more than thirty (30) homes to have two entrances; she said Dr. Horton Homes is planning additional houses on Hatcher Road that she argued would further strain narrow access. Commissioner Dustin Weaver, who said he lives in the subdivision, supported Baydean’s request. Chairman Waters said the planning commission has this matter on its next meeting agenda.

No ordinance or binding county policy was adopted at the meeting; staff signaled they will evaluate zoning options and bring proposals through the planning process.