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Commission debates whether Monroe should perform its own inspections for purely agricultural structures
Summary
The Planning Commission discussed a proposal to allow the city to inspect simple agricultural structures to streamline permitting; the Sevier County building inspector warned of liability because such structures can later be enclosed or upgraded, and the commission agreed to invite the county inspector to present to the City Council for further discussion.
The Monroe City Planning Commission on April 21 discussed whether the city should perform inspections for purely agricultural structures to simplify the permitting process for farmers.
The discussion followed a recent case in which a farmer applied for a building permit for a simple open-framed hay-storage shelter but still required county inspections. City Treasurer Jacee Barney said she had spoken with Sevier County Building Inspector Jason Mackelprang, who expressed significant liability concerns: agricultural structures permitted as open shelters are often modified later (walls, electrical or plumbing), and if the county does not participate from the beginning there will be no county record of the original construction, possibly leaving the city responsible for a structure it did not fully inspect or certify.
Commissioner Riley Lindsay added that large open-span agricultural buildings can be structurally complex and argued inspections remain important; the commission discussed distinguishing fully open shelters (which might be eligible for local inspection) from any structure with enclosure, power, or water (which should require county inspection). The commission agreed this topic warrants further discussion at the City Council and recommended inviting Jason Mackelprang to present his concerns directly to the council. No formal motion or ordinance change was made at the meeting.
