Virginia Hills residents tell Surgoinsville board of permit delays, road and signage concerns

Several residents of the Virginia Hills neighborhood used the public-comment portion of the Surgoinsville Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting on Oct. 13 to raise concerns about local road conditions, street signage and problems with building permits during inspector transitions.

Jeff Lilly told the board he was concerned about roads and street signs in the Virginia Hills neighborhood, calling particular attention to the second hill off Roanoke where drivers and access may be affected. Mark Johnson described a breakdown in open-permit records and inspections during transitions from a local inspector to Safebuilt and to the State of Tennessee; he urged the town to ensure that Integrity Inspections assume current building-inspection responsibilities. Johnson also complimented Police Chief Hammonds, saying the chief "does an outstanding job."

Bryan Farley asked whether the town assists with contractors completing work within the town limits; Attorney Joe May replied that contractor-contract disputes are civil matters and recommended contacting the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors for licensing complaints. Lonny Baker described difficulty entering his house and asserted that delays with contractors have reduced town and county property-tax revenue; Attorney May again advised that such disputes are typically civil and outside the town's regulatory authority.

A member of the public asked about the Phipps Bend $1 billion project; the board noted Phipps Bend is outside the town limits and advised the resident to contact the Phipps Bend Industrial Board for project-specific questions.

The board did not take formal regulatory action during public comment; the attorney's advice framed the concerns as civil or external to town authority rather than permitting immediate town intervention. The meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.