[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6183822,"mediaKeyId","5093644-62f551c36305eaa1c62af9adec5fa02f","parentId",5093644,"title","Planning commission delays review after residents question staff authority to sign subdivision plats","audioSeconds",683,"startMs",342000,"endMs",1025000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093644-62f551c36305eaa1c62af9adec5fa02f&start=342&end=1025","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093644-62f551c36305eaa1c62af9adec5fa02f/thumbnail_342000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6183822/Tennessee/Planning-commission-delays-review-after-residents-question-staff-authority-to-sign-subdivision-plats","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183822-24f96fa05230166c93ef92212cf3fe9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770627443&Signature=j7c2RvtNI9aUFSTeJzDURZKrydQv3KBh8Ab3cjaJAJlMUPihTlXwFQfXCllaitIx8KxS0Kcr1i-sMDFH4WUHiORgbGkX8RHpHW811Lf7oXxO~4rYJiZw-JUr81vbjCQEetri5iplz-PkAQjhc8zgEww0C1-CiPPOgeYjx4wcDl~7hONVsSyshcc3WWWv-RkshaOPheq7MsvmAS0-PB6Kj~EbpLShsV4EmQIZIPm-iG0rNvM7t58q7nZ3WRRBSng8-HjBIxGfvDv6C14TM1l5ukGmAbrZ2jRW1wy9p33SXN1JFbcL55pHL7OToP93P1ANnsqjMtv2sGrqFxN1W8wfNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jefferson County, TN","date","2025-06-28T12:40:07.203Z","article","The Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission on Tuesday postponed review of an item about in‑house plat approvals after public commenters said staff have been signing subdivision plats without a documented delegation of authority.

Residents told the commission they believe past plats signed in‑house may be legally invalid unless the commission or county commission publicly delegated signature authority. That prompted the commission to ask the county attorney to search meeting minutes and records and to delay formal action until the issue is resolved.

“Members of this body swore an oath to obey the constitution and the laws of the state of Tennessee,” resident Jim Fox told the commission during citizen input. “In this case, the document to allow someone besides the body this body to approve a subdivision plots cannot be found. Therefore, it does not exist.”

Why it matters: Plat signatures determine who may finalize lot divisions that become part of the recorded chain of title. If staff have signed plats without an express, documented delegation, speakers said that could call past approvals into question and create title or development uncertainty for property buyers and sellers.

What speakers said and what the commission did
Residents Gail Weaver Farzanegan and Kathleen Billers pressed the commission for transparency and legal compliance. Billers told the commission she reviewed recorded plats and found roughly 33 plats recorded between December and March that “were signed in house,” which she annualized to “about a 100 plats per year not signed authorized by the RPC secretary.” She recommended consulting the county attorney about correcting past records and, if staff review is to continue, formally voting to delegate authority in a public meeting and summarizing any between‑meeting signings at subsequent RPC meetings.

Commission chair indicated the county attorney, Mr. Drennan, had asked for more time to locate any delegation document. The chair said the attorney “should have the ability to produce that document if it's there by next month's meeting,” and the commission moved to postpone consideration of item K until the June meeting.

Items left open and next steps
The commission did not vote on any corrective action at the meeting. Direction recorded at the hearing: county attorney to search minutes and records for any delegation or resolution authorizing staff signature on plats; staff to report back to the commission at the next meeting. Speakers urged the commission to consult the county attorney about whether past recorded plats require corrective filings.

Ending: The commission postponed formal consideration of item K to allow the county attorney to locate any delegation record and to give the commission time to consider legal remedies or process changes to ensure future transparency and statutory compliance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 27, 2025 - Jefferson County, TN - Board of Zoning Appeal & Regional Planning Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission on Tuesday postponed review of an item about in‑house plat approvals after public commenters said staff have been signing subdivision plats without a documented delegation of authority.","taxTitle","Board of Zoning Appeals and Regional Planning Commission Meetings, Jefferson County, Tennessee","taxId",73403,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6183807,"RPC sets public hearing on subdivision regulation changes for road bonding, as‑built drawings and surety rules",701,3797000,4498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093644-62f551c36305eaa1c62af9adec5fa02f&start=3797&end=4498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093644-62f551c36305eaa1c62af9adec5fa02f/thumbnail_3797000.jpg","/articles/6183807/Tennessee/RPC-sets-public-hearing-on-subdivision-regulation-changes-for-road-bonding-asbuilt-drawings-and-surety-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183807-988d4c0123bc1eb2d87f00f170cfc782/orig.mp4?Expires=1770609835&Signature=lgQwGwgKZgQluA4I05fj~AhRiy49tu3cdpiE~9Ucyrs3yhwlRem8hI5deUaNpMYJuTeJEiJfVHAvUIKPJ9MP0tj~71Kyryq9yMkR1QnNFqiKldzaxCcJS4~S-1Vr0zvZ7Ek3omhXIybTgg5zcVtWDyqYL~6z2n46hbjzCmtowPWDm4r0V2RrypJdT7qgOui3WMMv7i1dqJkXLD7FfJ9y65ePtxSbDlYOsNytAPw~KwPwPuyMWGt5uJzfd9uRSSXFCkDtFLyzxS0ZjbxX43oa4imsVKhMv9qG8iD1s860XnkZyN-uRodtJAaacYJFhMHF19X7ajcA2mMQoLi4Fb-d~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jefferson County planning staff presented a proposed resolution to amend subdivision regulations on road construction, bonding, and as‑built drawing requirements; the commission voted to advertise the draft for a public hearing with a 30‑day notice.

The draft updates would add a performance/surety bond option in addition to a letter of credit (LOC), require specified timeframes for completing improvements (one year with extensions possible by RPC), and require as‑built drawings and utility certifications before the county accepts roadways. Staff also recommended limiting annual reductions in surety to a minimum retention (developer could reduce once per year, down to 40% of the original surety face value for multi‑phase projects).

Why it matters: The amendments aim to tighten financial assurance and construction‑acceptance processes so that roads and utilities in new subdivisions are installed to standards, reduce the county’s exposure to incomplete improvements, and provide clearer procedures for when and how the county accepts subdivision roadways into public maintenance.

Details of the proposed changes
Surety and LOC: The draft adds language to allow a surety/performance bond as an alternative to an LOC and specifies acceptable issuing institutions (examples: banks within Jefferson County or adjacent counties) to ensure enforceability and prompt execution if needed.

Timeframes and reductions: The draft sets a one‑year completion period for improvements tied to the surety, permits planning commission to grant extensions, and allows annual surety reductions only to a floor of 40% of the original face value for multi‑phase subdivisions.

As‑builts and acceptance: The draft calls for submission of as‑built drawings and certifications of utilities and roadway locations before the road superintendent or planning commission recommends acceptance. Staff noted that current practice sometimes left roads unaccepted and without bonding or responsible parties, leaving residents to suffer maintenance problems.

Emergency access and building permits: Staff proposed requiring that roads under bond provide emergency vehicle access before building permits are issued for lots served by those roads.

Next steps and action
The commission voted to advertise the resolution for a public hearing, with advertisement to provide a minimum 30‑day notice before the hearing. Staff will publish the notice and return the item for public comment at the advertised hearing.

Ending: The resolution will move through the public‑hearing process; if adopted it will change the county’s method for ensuring subdivision infrastructure is built and accepted in a timely, documented way.","Jefferson County planning staff presented a draft amendment to subdivision regulations addressing road bonding, letters of credit, surety bonds and as‑built drawings; the commission voted to advertise the draft for a public hearing with a 30‑day notice.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6183812,"Timberstone Food Park approved after commissioners weigh health, water and traffic concerns",772,2978000,3750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093644-62f551c36305eaa1c62af9adec5fa02f&start=2978&end=3750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093644-62f551c36305eaa1c62af9adec5fa02f/thumbnail_2978000.jpg","/articles/6183812/Tennessee/Timberstone-Food-Park-approved-after-commissioners-weigh-health-water-and-traffic-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183812-87f2c3b7b07a4b615ec802cd2c39e304/orig.mp4?Expires=1770627443&Signature=aF9aW7nQ6M0~z~K4xS6QiZe2vX~V0e40vttD1-YgBh4Mh6aizX7Z0ShKAIWXMV3OIcr8hR1DYT-TK2T4o6hImKikt5fgW4MJcFIU~QMYFyfic1SHHaatImZvK-kYnzfyUGCNE05XdOYVtZvqakcUQTCP7NbpMdpi~kogcD3LrBjcHAX4nL2M22CzXDlVNn4b4bq2Ojtlyx-nyC6qFk8f~rKeYLRATkgW5xg9eXzXJyTcF2InC-h5BGiweXWiMMkgsRKOZlTvV9-2od9bS77XDyCiWwSAyo-BGocGghM62TjSHSGwDP2IASQImPFCIKwSk8TF0Sd~C~zKBFjSO05V1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jefferson County planning commissioners approved a site plan for Timberstone Food Park on Tuesday after extended discussion about zoning, utilities, and public‑health requirements.

The applicant, represented at the hearing, said the food park would operate as a collection of food trucks and vendor stalls on a standalone legal lot opposite the Timberstone campground. Planning staff and commissioners noted the county zoning code does not specifically define “food park,” but that similar uses (restaurants, flea markets, temporary vendors) exist and that each vendor must meet health‑department licensing and inspections.

Why it matters: The decision sets a local precedent for how mobile and multi‑vendor food operations on standalone lots will be treated where zoning is silent. Commissioners highlighted the need for vendor health permits, fire protection access and potential restroom arrangements.

Key points from the hearing
Zoning and permits: Planner Stephanie and other staff told the commission the county’s zoning ordinance does not specifically include “food park” as an allowed use in A‑1, but comparable uses (restaurant, flea market, carnival vendors) exist. Commissioners emphasized that individual food vendors and trucks must obtain health‑department permits and inspections.

Infrastructure and safety: Commissioners raised concerns about fire hydrant access, restroom availability and traffic/ingress‑egress on Highway 25. The applicant said a bathhouse and restrooms exist on an adjacent parcel and that a septic system is installed that could support future restrooms if demand rises.

Vote and conditions: The motion to approve the Timberstone Food Park (item F) passed with a recorded tally of 4–3. Commissioners approved the site plan while noting that health‑department and building permits remain required for vendors and any permanent restrooms or structures.

Ending: The commission agreed that, while the county should consider drafting clearer standards for multi‑vendor food operations in future zoning updates, current code and state health inspections provide a path for approval when basic public‑health and safety conditions are met.","The commission approved the Timberstone Food Park site plan for a lot on West Highway 25 (near Timberstone campground) despite zoning code not expressly listing 'food park' uses; commissioners required vendors to meet health department permits and noted infrastructure and traffic questions for future oversight.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6183817,"Commission delays new C‑3 zoning while members debate value‑added agriculture, slaughterhouse limits",2294,4516000,6810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093644-62f551c36305eaa1c62af9adec5fa02f&start=4516&end=6810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093644-62f551c36305eaa1c62af9adec5fa02f/thumbnail_4516000.jpg","/articles/6183817/Tennessee/Commission-delays-new-C3-zoning-while-members-debate-valueadded-agriculture-slaughterhouse-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183817-03c2e49ab2e72ec5a48be2ce562dcbe8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770627443&Signature=N~y02ErR5lmwROMoHCmlbPAyNzB3x9tk7Qk3hXDKXkcy9wRmJao~8~dYc-WR1K~6SaD9hfGJtUKxvOqho00DdIsFdxejGl7JMAlHKp3~4cCi0ufS0JBIq8efU1pLC0dECh83CWCQsdeUhHDjGevll~cWv7JXzjtPYozDoOdFMlAeAhO4TZqcKd3WzqBylbxfjfs9yPxtpAYGkZg5rwmjsfZGVRlczr3fWoPvIwsBg06jc6JQry18qQ-g-QBJHhztuT8aFR7-E0leqFZbKoGCr73qFUSAhob0ZRXKUJa8Ncam1lkOJ-ITBAPoILURzuywNaqpsbLZymbpVnk3uBDhtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission on Tuesday continued debate over a proposed C‑3 wholesale and warehouse commercial zoning district after commissioners and staff spent more than an hour discussing definitions, permissible agricultural processing and how to confine higher‑impact uses.

Planner Brooks presented a draft that would create a new C‑3 district positioned between commercial and industrial zones and add “value‑added processing” as an allowable or conditional activity. Commissioners asked for clearer definitions and a list of concrete conditions before voting.

Why it matters: The item would give local producers and small manufacturers an additional zoning pathway to process agricultural products, warehouse goods or operate small‑scale manufacturing without rezoning to general industrial districts. Commissioners and members of the public said clear conditions are needed to protect adjoining rural and residential properties.

Key points of the discussion
Definitions and limits: Brooks outlined draft definitions gathered from multiple sources (the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and university extension guidance, North Carolina enabling language and county comparisons). Draft limits discussed included minimum parcel size (a suggested 10 acres for agricultural value‑added processing) and a requirement that at least a majority (roughly 50–51%) of processed product come from locally produced inputs in some model language.

Slaughterhouses: Commissioners flagged slaughterhouses as a particularly sensitive use. Brooks said the draft could explicitly exclude slaughterhouses from the standard value‑added definition or reclassify them as a conditional use with specific criteria (for example, frontage on a state route and restrictions on travel routes through residential areas).

Public‑health and utilities: Commissioners pressed for explicit requirements for public water and for removal of a blanket public‑sewer requirement in the draft, noting that many county parcels lack sewer; the body agreed to seek a compromise requiring access to public water but to strike a mandatory sewer connection for conditional uses.

Next steps and action
The commission voted to roll the C‑3 resolution to the next meeting and asked staff to circulate a revised draft. Planned follow‑up items include: refining a definition of “value‑added processing,” producing a short list of conditions for higher‑impact uses (slaughterhouses, large processors), and checking other counties’ models (Washington County and examples cited in North Carolina and Maryland). Staff also agreed to email proposed changes to commissioners ahead of the next agenda.

Ending: The commission kept open the option of adding value‑added processing either by amending A‑1 (agricultural) regulations or by allowing it, with conditions, in the new C‑3 district. Commissioners said they prefer to craft specific, enforceable criteria rather than leave the term open to broad interpretation.","The commission rolled a draft C‑3 (wholesale/warehouse commercial) zoning resolution to the next meeting after lengthy discussion about whether to allow \"value‑added\" agricultural processing and how to treat slaughterhouses; staff will revise language and bring conditional-use criteria back for review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission delays review after residents question staff authority to sign subdivision plats

RPC sets public hearing on subdivision regulation changes for road bonding, as‑built drawings and surety rules

Timberstone Food Park approved after commissioners weigh health, water and traffic concerns

Commission delays new C‑3 zoning while members debate value‑added agriculture, slaughterhouse limits