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Court approves zoning-change and moves to update planning and building fees; solar inspection fee to rise
Summary
The Fiscal Court approved a zoning map amendment for properties along US 127 and advanced first reading of an ordinance updating planning, zoning and building permit fees; staff proposed raising the electrical inspection fee for solar installations from $50 to $200 and adding short-term rental registration fees consistent with city policy.
Franklin County Fiscal Court approved a zoning map amendment for approximately 2.7 acres along U.S. 127 and advanced an ordinance to update planning, zoning and building inspection fees at its Dec. 19 meeting.
Planning staff said many fee lines had not been updated in years and recommended aligning several commercial permit fees with state charges and neighboring counties. Autumn, the county planning director, told magistrates the solar electrical inspection fee had been historically low and staff recommended raising it from $50 to $200 to reflect inspection complexity.
The proposed fee ordinance also includes an annual registration fee for non-owner-occupied short-term rentals; staff said the amount is consistent with the city's recently adopted fee and that zoning-code changes may be necessary to address owner-occupied short-term rentals.
Magistrates discussed concerns about sudden fee increases for contractors and suggested staff examine flat-rate alternatives for some electrical fees to avoid bid disruptions. The court approved the zoning map amendment and advanced the fee ordinance for further consideration; staff said they will review contractor and city comparability and return with refinements.
