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Sevier County commissioners press Sevierville for delay on DR Horton development over Red Banks Road, emergency services concerns
Summary
Commissioners and residents urged the City of Sevierville to delay action on a DR Horton proposal until Red Banks Road and emergency-services infrastructure are improved; commissioners said the county sent a letter through the mayor's office requesting the city not act in April and that the item was removed from the city agenda.
Mayor Larry Waters, the commission's chairman, opened a report from Commissioner Bryan Delius about a March 24 emergency committee meeting that included county commissioners, community members and emergency personnel.
"The committee felt it was necessary to put forward those concerns to the City of Sevierville asking them not to take action of the DR Horton proposal in April meeting," Delius said, and the mayor's office drafted a letter to the City of Sevierville Planning Commission on behalf of the emergency services portion of the committee; Delius told the commission that, so far, no response had been received and the item was removed from that city agenda.
During the public-comment period, residents from the Red Banks Road area told commissioners they are worried local infrastructure won't handle new development. Carrie Jones thanked Commissioner Delius "for taking the time to listen to the community" and said, "there needs to be improvements to Red Banks Road and the emergency services infrastructure before work can be done." Terry Sailor said residents have raised their voices about the development and that the City of Sevierville "is not willing to listen," adding she is "thankful that the County is." Leland Wykoff urged a pause on further development until county and city infrastructure are addressed and improved.
The board did not take a formal county-level vote to block the developer; instead, commissioners described the emergency committee's action as a request relayed to the City of Sevierville Planning Commission and noted the city had removed the proposal from its meeting agenda. Commissioners said the county lacks unilateral authority to halt municipal planning decisions but can communicate concerns and request coordination on road and emergency-response capacity.
The commission did not set a formal follow-up deadline; commissioners and residents said they expect continued engagement with the City of Sevierville and county staff on infrastructure planning before any new permitting or construction proceeds.
