PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
6 AUGUST 2024
The Planning Commission met in the Courthouse annex on 6 August 2024. County Executive (CE)Graham Stowe with Commissioner Terry Jones officiated in the absence of the officers and there being no quorum, decisions could not be allowed at this meeting. Mr. Malcolm Moore offered a prayer and led the pledge.
A member of the public, Ms. Rosemary Martin, asked for five minutes to discuss the county’s subdivision standards, first asking who makes sure the standards are carried out. The CE said the county has no enforcement arm; however, RPC members routinely engage developers who are working on projects and there have been no subdivision developments that did not go through right channels. For a clear definition of a subdivision, Ms. Martin read from the standards. The CE further stated that the Planning Commission is the body that answers citizen questions regarding the standards, with the Road Superintendent answering any questions involving road construction. Ms. Martin noted two new developments, one on Rea Branch Road and another on Route 166, at end of Big Dry Creek. She believes people buying homes in those locations may be under the belief that the developer’s road is an accepted county road. She felt that those new citizens to Giles County and without some specific and public notifications they would be looking in the future for the county to take care of those roads. (County not responsible if roads are not officially adopted by the Commission.) Ms. Martin’s concern also was the current problem across much of rural America and that is losing farmland to development. The Commissioners all recognized this as a complex problem with economics playing a large role, e.g., acreage sells much higher for development than farming usage can compete; housing cost may be less where developer does not have to meet county road standards; ownership rights allow owners to sell farmland to whomever; independent farming being threatened as a viable livelihood, and once converted to low density housing development cannot be recultivated. Societal roles also play a part where developers often seek ways to work around standards; housing with potential growing populations look for solutions; and what role local government can play. The CE said he could put information on the county website to highlight that potential home buyers should not presume county road maintenance for roads that aren’t on the county road list.
With no further discussion, the meeting concluded.
Attendees: Member: Malcom Moore, Bill Myers Other: County Executive Graham Stowe, Commissioners Terry Jones, Gayle Jones, David Adams, Evan Baddour, Other: member of the public Ms. Rosemary Martin
