County Commission Fails to Pursue Further Study of Zoning

Any plans to pursue a comprehensive zoning plan for DeKalb County, outside its incorporated municipalities, have stalled after the county commission failed to recommend further study. During its monthly meeting, the commission voted 6-5 in favor of a motion by Commissioner Beth Pafford to continue conversations about zoning, but the motion required eight votes to pass. Commissioner Greg Matthews expressed strong opposition, arguing that telling people what to do with their property is an overstep, and noted that the county itself doesn't always adhere to zoning regulations, citing the new jail's location. The County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) confirmed that Tennessee counties can build jails without city zoning adherence if state laws are followed. Pafford emphasized that her motion was merely to continue public discussion on the matter. Residents have been advocating for local regulations to prevent or restrict operations like quarries and data centers, especially after the county's powers act, used as a model from Grundy County, was recently ruled unconstitutional by the state supreme court. This vote effectively ends further discussion on county zoning for now, without public hearings specifically devoted to the issue. The DeKalb County Regional Planning Commission had previously studied and recommended a zoning plan, but guidance from the county commission was lacking after some members changed their stance.