County restructures planning procedures

By Lisa Majors-Duff

The action followed a motion offered by Chairman Stacy Buchanan, in which he said the ordinance and by-laws establishing the planning board are to be rescinded; that the members of the current planning board be subdivided and continue to address revisions to both the noise ordinance and soil sedimentation ordinance; that new operating procedures be drafted, stating that five-member task forces will be called upon to address individual issues as needed; and that the planning department will develop a data base of those who would be willing to serve in such a capacity.

"It's kind of a long motion, but it says what needs to be said," Buchanan said.

The chairman's motion echoed statements he'd made during last week's meeting concerning the future of county planning.

"I think we would be better off to develop a special task force to deal with something like a subdivision ordinance, for example," Buchanan said last week. "That way we could call on people who have expertise in an area to deal with a specific issue."

Also on the subject of planning, commissioners agreed to gather at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, to discuss what steps to take with regard to the 2-year-old Smart Growth initiative. Through a series of more than 40 countywide meetings, officials collected public comments about the good and not-so-good aspects of the county.

After these comments were complied, a list of goals was developed and approved by the board this past summer. While former commission Chairman Jay Denton attempted several times to move forward with the list of goals, which include employing a professional planner, no further action was taken.

The Jan. 16 meeting will include a briefing for commissioners on all county ordinances, a discussion of the Smart Growth goals, and a question and comments session, Buchanan said.

"I'd like to come out (of the meeting) with some sort of plan of action," he said.

Also during Tuesday's meeting, commissioners heard a report from architect Donza Mattison of McMillan, Smith and Partners concerning the floor plan for the proposed social services facility. With design development for the 24,000-square-foot building nearing an end, Madison said construction could begin as early as this spring. Department of Social Services employees could occupy the building, which would be built on two D&R Properties parcels near Smoky Mountain Mental Health, by 2004, she said.

"The building is being designed around control of accessibility," said Mattison, who explained that public access to offices would be strictly limited due to the nature of the DSS business.

Construction of the new facility is estimated at $2.5 million, Mattison said.

In other action Tuesday:

- Board members agreed to request proposals for both auditing and banking services.

- An $18,000 budget amendment needed to address erosion concerns at the old Canada School was also approved.

- Some $85,000 will be redirected for new vehicles purchases.

- Commissioners agreed to change the Greenway Commission by-laws to reduce the number needed for a quorum from six to four members. They also appointed Jack Farmer to the commission to replace Odell Thompson, who resigned because of business conflicts.

Following a closed session called to discuss both legal and personnel issues, commissioners agreed to allow Diane Sherrill of the Sylva law firm Hunter, Large and Sherrill to continue litigating a tax case involving U.S. Congressman Charles Taylor. Sherrill handled the majority of the county's tax issues during the four years her law partner Raymond Large served as county attorney.

Board members also agreed to reinstate all previous service time and sick leave for Sheriff Jimmy Ashe, who left county law enforcement late last year to begin his campaign for the office he was elected to in November.

In other personnel action, commissioners agreed last week (Dec. 10) to authorize Register of Deeds Joe Hamilton to use up to $15,000 in his budget for salaries to fund a separation allowance for LaRae Hooper. Hooper, who was fired by Hamilton in October, lacked 18 months of accruing 30 years of service.

The board's action allowed Hooper, who was recognized for 30 years of service during last week's employee luncheon, to resign and receive 18 months credit toward retirement.

The next meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Justice Center.

Back to Archive: 12/19/02.