PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
4 APRIL 2023
The Chair Connie Howell opened the meeting asking Malcolm Moore to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. The Minutes of 7 March 2023 were moved for approval by Commissioner Annelle Guthrie, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones, and were approved unanimously by attending members.
First Agenda Item – Subdivision Standards. The County Executive (CE) Graham Stowe noted that some changes, which county attorney Chris Williams had made on a handout, were to assure no inconsistencies and for clarity. Reference was made to Section 4 of the Standards which addressed definitions. Change suggested that the last part of paragraph 3 (unnumbered) be deleted starting with “and includes re-subdivision” and through the phrase “land or area subdivided”. While this definition has been part of the standards for some lengthy period of time, all members questioned the intent or clarity of that statement, i.e. the re-subdivision part. In discussion and later with a motion most were in favor of deleting that part of the definition as noted above. Commissioner David Adams expressed some concern with changing standards now and how that affects subdivisions that were built under the older standards. After some discussion about proposed changes to other parts of the standards, the consensus was that the other changes were not necessary. A motion by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Bill Myers, was approved to send the change to the Highway Department with recommendation to send to the full legislative body.
Old Business – None.
New Business – The Chair noted she had two individuals who had contacted her after loggers that used their roads left those roads almost impassable. Her question to the committee was is there anything the commission could do to not pass that costly repair burden on to the taxpayers. In one complaint the county had to come back three times to repair. Comments from contact with TCA, per the CE, was that there has to be a “knowingly intent to destruct”. Another member mentioned there had to be a bridge that was damaged in the use by loggers before any assessment. Another – loggers pay more in licensing to help pay for any damage to roads, and the roads themselves aren’t built for trucks (of all sorts, e.g. loggers, farmers, dump trucks) given their heavier weight. One example was given where it was known that the logger’s use of the road did the damage, the owner of that logging vehicle has offered to pay the damage, given the highway department does the repair and the owner paying for that service.
Announcements – next meeting planned for 2 May 2023. The CE mentioned a survey that had been provided to all and requested they respond electronically.
A motion to adjourn was made by Scott Stewart, seconded by Bill Myers and was approved.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Commission – Chair Connie Howell, Malcolm Moore, Kristen Pfeiffer, Tommy Pope, Bill Myers, Scott Stewart, (absent Tamieka Russell, John Haislip) Commissioner Members – Terry Jones, Erin Curry, Annelle Guthrie
Others: Commissioners David Adams and Gayle Jones, County Executive Graham Stowe
