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Macon County bans camping on Little Tennessee River Greenway after sheriff warns of safety, liability concerns
Summary
By a 4-1 vote, the Macon County Board of Commissioners amended Chapter 28 to ban camping along the Little Tennessee River Greenway and on county-owned property after a public hearing that included law-enforcement and Friends of the Greenway testimony.
The Macon County Board of Commissioners on June 13 voted 4-1 to amend Chapter 28 of the county code to prohibit camping along the Little Tennessee River Greenway and on county-owned property.
Sheriff Holbrooks told the board that allowing camping along the greenway and other county land “is a liability for the county and presents safety and sanitary issues,” and recommended the board prohibit camping on county properties. Marsha Denney of the Friends of the Greenway said the organization’s bylaws already prohibit tents or structures on the greenway and described coordination with the Franklin Police Department to ask people not to camp there. Citizen Hilda Hartman also opposed allowing homeless encampments in the county.
Commissioner Young moved to adopt the amendment; Commissioner Antoine seconded. The motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Shearl voting in opposition.
Why it matters: county officials cited public-safety, sanitation, and liability concerns as reasons to prohibit camping on the greenway; advocates for enforcement described existing local patrol efforts. The amendment gives county staff and law enforcement a clear local ordinance basis for removing or preventing camping on county property.
What happens next: the amendment was adopted at the June 13 meeting; enforcement will proceed under county code and coordination with local law enforcement and nonprofit partners.
