January Party for the Party at Southland Books a Success!
About 15 people attended. We brought some food and the people at Southland had some tables and chairs set up for us. (I rewarded the businesses at Southland Books by purchasing a hot cocoa from the snack bar.)
It was nice to meet the new faces and talk with familiar faces.
The conversation covered a lot of ground including some explanation of the events which transpired the previous evening at the Blount County Commission meeting.
Although I had attended the meeting, I admit to getting lost as the commissioners discussed the situation with the request to change the zoning for Blount Excavation.
What I learned Friday was that the issue Commissioner Helton brought up regarding the removal of language from the zoning law which seamed to favor the rezoning for Blount Excavation was not relevant. Commissioner Walker clarified the issue. He explained that the language preventing expansion into adjacent property was removed ONLY for the corridors along the big highways of 321 and 411.
Despite Commissioner Walkers clarification, the majority of the commissioners voted to VIOLATE Tennessee law and “super size” the grandfathered use that Blount Excavating had on their original property. This non compliant use is now allowed on the new property they purchase after zoning went into effect.
Another conversation was about phrase “walkable communities” I saw on The Raven Society web site (www.theravensociety.com). I was advised to read the Hunter growth study (http://www.blounttn.org/Growth_study/hunter_interest_growth_study.htm). I hope to get through it before the next Party for the Party.
I left the party knowing more about how our county commission works, and how Blount County can grow beautifully.
I hope to see You February 20th, 2009
Forrest Erickson
