Citizens Demand Answers For Sky High Variance

Citizens Demand Answers For Sky High Variance
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

The Jefferson County Board of Zoning Appeals meetings are rarely the site of debate that is common in many other County meetings. However, that was not the case on Tuesday evening, April 28, 2015, as residents of the Oak Grove Community near the 424 exit filled the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse in response to a variance granted to an incoming business that is set to locate in that area. Love’s Travel Center representatives appeared before the Board of Zoning Appeals in March to request a sign variance for their new proposed location and that request found favor with the Board, resulting in a 180 ft sign variance.

Members of the community requested to speak before the Board and they were informed that one representative would be allowed to address the BZA as a spokesperson for the group. District One Jefferson County Commissioner Katy Huffaker took issue with limiting the number of citizens addressing the Board, particularly, as many were from different areas of the community. Though BZA Chairman Terry Reneau declined to open the floor to all citizens wishing to speak, several members of the audience did ask questions regarding the decision to approve the variance and what many members of the community expressed as a lack of consideration in notice. Commissioner Huffaker stated that the Board was aware of the concerns of the community via a petition that was signed several months ago regarding the proposed growth boundaries and development in the Oak Grove area, noting that signage was a particular talking point of concern. Chairman Reneau stated that proper notification was given and the community could have addressed their concerns when the variance request was presented. Citizens countered that had they been aware of the entire scope of the request, community representation would have been present and many expressed that some Board members were aware of the concern of the community but downplayed the variance request. Members of the Board made the counterpoint that the variance was requested to allow for visibility above the tree line and no opposition was heard at the time of the request.

According to information provided at the recent Jefferson County Commission meeting,the Board of Zoning Appeals is the final authority in the issuance of variances and, as the variance has already been issued, citizens were informed that the only further appeal would be through the courts. Commissioner Huffaker stated that the issue lies, not with Love’s, but with the Board of Zoning Appeals for granting such a large exception to the current ordinance, questioning if the Board considered the impact to the community and the precedent that such a variance could set on the 424 exit. She also brought the question of due diligence before granting a request so far outside the norm.

While some Board members stated their conviction that their actions were appropriate, the Chair did agree to the request of those in opposition to the variance to be heard as an agenda item at the next meeting. The request also included that Love’s representatives be contacted so they might be in attendance, as well.

In other items of business, the BZA approved two variance from individual property owners concerning potential additions- one on 1802 Buck Hollow in New Market and one on 1915 Oak Grove in Dandridge.

Citizens gather outside court room to discuss filing suit
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew