Large Crowd Shows For Public Hearing On Zoning Issue

A standing room only crowd crammed into the circuit courtroom of the Cocke County Courthouse last night as numerous citizens took their turn to address the county legislative body and the county mayor to make their opinions known about a proposal to bring zoning regulations to the county. Concerned citizens filled the benches and lined the walls of the courtroom. Those concerned citizens spilled out into the hall outside…the door open so they could hear what was going on inside as the CLB hosted the public hearing over what is becoming a hot button issue. One of the themes of the comments at the public hearing was as one concerned citizen put it, is something of this magnitude that will affect a lot of people needs to be voted on by the county’s voters. District One resident Candace Kirkpatrick pointed out to the CLB that although the courtroom was packed, they had no idea how many people were outside the courtroom who could not get inside. She also stated a running theme of the comments that the people felt they were not being given a voice in the matter. CLB Chairman Norman Smith thanked all the citizens who took the time to come out and make their voices heard on an issue that is passionate on both sides…for or against zoning in the county. The CLB will meet tonight at 6pm to either approve or disapprove of whether to add zoning regulations in the county. The proposed regulations are posted on the cockecountytn.gov website under the proposed ordinances tab.