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Morristown Board of Zoning Appeals adopts by-laws after state rule change
Summary
The Morristown Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously adopted new by-laws (TEXT-3189) Nov. 10 after staff said state legislation now requires boards to publish meeting rules and provide written denials with appeal instructions to petitioners.
The Morristown Board of Zoning Appeals adopted written by-laws for its proceedings Nov. 10 after a staff presentation saying a recent state legislative change requires such rules and procedures.
Development Director Steve Neilson told the board the staff-initiated proposal (TEXT-3189) is intended to bring the board into compliance with the new state requirement that boards adopt rules for meetings and recordkeeping and provide petitioners with written reasons and information on how to appeal a denial. Neilson said staff used the Planning Commission's existing by-laws as a template and recommended adoption.
Board Member Jake Stokely moved to approve the by-laws; Board Member Dr. Alpha Alexander seconded. The board voted 7–0 to approve the measure, and the motion carried. Earlier in the meeting Vice-Chairman Jack Kennerly moved to approve the Oct. 14, 2025 minutes; that motion was seconded by Dr. Alpha Alexander and adopted by voice vote.
Chairman Ventrus Norfolk called the meeting to order at the Nov. 10 session and Secretary Robert (Bob) Garrett signed the submitted minutes. The meeting recorded no items under old business and adjourned after the vote on TEXT-3189.
The adopted by-laws will direct how the Board of Zoning Appeals runs meetings, maintains records and communicates appeal rights to petitioners, according to staff. The minutes do not include the text of the by-laws or the statute number of the state bill; those specifics were not provided in the minutes.
