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Sevier County adopts subdivision, street and design code updates amid heated public comment on Class D roads
Summary
Sevier County commissioners adopted three ordinances updating subdivision, streets and design standards on March 23, 2026, and heard extended public comment about proposed removals from the Class D road inventory that nearby residents said would limit access to properties.
Sevier County commissioners on March 23 adopted three ordinances—2026-3-1, 2026-3-2 and 2026-3-3—that update County Code Chapters 152 (Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places), 153 (Subdivision), and the county’s Design and Construction Standards.
The changes were presented by Micklane Farmer of Jones & DeMille Engineering, who said several updates were required by state law to keep county standards current. The commission approved the ordinances unanimously after a public hearing and a period of public comment.
Why it matters: the amendments modify the county’s technical standards and subdivision rules that shape future road construction, lot layout and public infrastructure., which can affect property access and development costs for landowners and developers.
During a related hearing on proposed amendments to the Transportation System Network map and the Class D Road Inventory, several residents urged the commission not to remove three small roads—identified in hearing materials as 9T-1252, 9T-1251 and 9T-1250—saying vacating them would remove convenient access and could landlock parcels.
Resident Bo White read a written statement asking the commission to keep those roads in the Class D inventory and to preserve legal access. "I request that you not vacate the three small roads 9T-1252, 9T-1251 and 9T-1250," he said during public comment.
County staff and the Executive Administrator, Malcolm Nash, explained the road-inventory amendment is tied to private purchase of a former railroad right-of-way and that some parcels have alternate access from other directions. Nash noted the county’s Class D designation has historically been used to show quicker, local access routes and that not all of those ways meet the formal requirements for public Class D roads.
Other commenters made competing points: Zack Wilson said he was concerned reliable access would be removed; Kirk Meacham said neighboring owners had driven across his property while trying to improve access and had damaged fences and created runoff; Ephraim Dopp said he wanted the roads vacated to keep public traffic off his property. Dave White said his household had used the crossing for 26 years and preferred to keep it open.
The commission closed the hearing, said staff had reviewed legal and property‑title issues, and then moved to adopt the code updates. Commissioners Greg Jensen and Ralph Brown moved and seconded the ordinance adoptions; the measures passed unanimously.
What’s next: the ordinances take effect per the language in the adopted ordinances and will guide future subdivision and road-construction permitting. Residents who spoke raised concerns about access and potential driveway and fence impacts; county staff noted alternate access exists for the parcels discussed but that some routes are reclassified.
The county did not record any vote specifically on the Class D inventory items at this meeting beyond the public hearing; the commission’s formal actions that followed were the ordinance adoptions.
