Public hearing draws mixed reaction to Coffee County zoning amendments

The Coffee County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on proposed zoning amendments that residents said are meant to protect rural character, while others warned the changes carry broad implications for property owners and developers.

The chair opened the hearing and said moratorium discussion would be excluded from this session and that public-comment eligibility was limited to Coffee County property owners. ‘‘The amendments to the zoning resolutions are required by Tennessee law to have a public hearing prior to any such amendments being adopted by the full legislative body,’’ the chair said, asking speakers to stay civil and to keep remarks brief.

Randy Anderson, a property owner seeking to rezone a parcel at 4212 Old Manchester Highway from a split zone to C-2, told commissioners he wants the whole parcel designated commercial. The chair said a resolution had been prepared that could accomplish his request if the full board approves it.

Opponents raised access and quality-of-life concerns. ‘‘People have a hard time now trying to even get through when there are two cars going side by side,’’ said Deborah Trillin, a nearby resident, who added that the property backs up to active railroad tracks and that drainage is poor. She said neighbors had not all been notified and argued the land is productive pasture that should remain agricultural.

Several speakers urged the board to consider infrastructure and long-term effects before acting. Miller, who identified himself as representing landowners and described decades in real estate development, listed water pressure, narrow roads and emergency-access problems and asked the commission to involve the water board and county roads department in further study.

Supporters said the amendments add transparency and help planning commissioners and elected officials manage growth. ‘‘There has been a lot of misinformation surrounding these proposed changes,’’ said Mike Brian, a farmer and landowner in the Asbury community, who described the modifications as a step to ensure major subdivisions meet public-notice and infrastructure expectations. Brian cited a 2023 University of Tennessee study he said estimated Coffee County agricultural output at $1,800,000,000 and said agriculture supports thousands of local jobs.

Other supporters — including Ken Delaney, Christie Brown and Sean Jones — spoke in favor of provisions they said would reinforce agricultural use, protect rural views and improve public safety.

No vote was taken during the hearing. The chair closed the public-comment period on the zoning amendments and said the commission would consider the items during its 6:00 p.m. business meeting.

The hearing record included multiple requests for additional study, specific infrastructure concerns, and at least one rezoning request that the commission may act on later in the evening. The board did not adopt or reject any amendments at the hearing.