The Claiborne County Planning Commission heard from several developers and the public during their meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 2.

The first agenda item was a request for final plat approval for a small development at the end of Narrows Road called the Powel River Sanctuary. This is a small subdivision consisting of four lots and the extension of Narrows Road. The subdivision was approved contingent upon the developer's extension of Narrows Road an additional 50 feet (longer than the original proposal) to provide access to the property beyond the development and review/approval of the new subdivision name by the county 911 office. This last requirement was the result of some discussion about whether the subdivision's proposed name was already in use elsewhere. All other changes and corrections to meet county ordinances discussed during review of the preliminary plat had been made.

The developer also offered a letter of credit that met the requirements being considered for change to guarantee the completion of the roadwork. County Road Superintendent Mike Sharp noted that the grade work for the road has already been started.

A request to review a preliminary plat for the Shenandoah Subdivision was withdrawn after review by staff revealed over a dozen problems with the preliminary plat.

The planning commission also heard a proposal by Don Oakley for a limited development tentatively planned on the 150-acre parcel located beyond the newly approved Powell River Sanctuary subdivision. Oakley, a licensed civil engineer with 20 years of property development experience was considering establishment of a non-profit company that would buy the land surrounded by the Powell River at Eastridge Bend (close to the 90-mile marker) for a retreat center. Oakley intends to build his own home on the property and to construct and manage another 20 isolated rental cabins on the property.

The concept presents some interesting challenges for the planning commission. How does the county provide emergency ambulance service or fire protection service to an isolated cabin? Since the county no longer allows private roads, should the roads serving these cabins meet the two-lane blacktop county standard? Current county ordinances do not adequately address development concepts of this type. (That becomes another task for the planning commission to consider and propose to the county commission for implementation.)

A single planning commissioner (W. Lee Brame) voiced one objection to the concept. His objection centered on the idea of having a non-profit corporation develop, own, and manage the property. Use of a non-profit would probably take the acreage, developer's home and rental properties off of the county tax roles. There is also the possibility that the hotel tax (used to support the local Chamber of Commerce) could not be collected from a non-profit.

In response, Oakley indicated that the non-profit status is not essential to his concept.

Planners also heard from Don Rawn from Rock Harbor. Rawn reported that the water lines in the Rock Harbor subdivision were complete and that the state had approved plans for the addition of a local water chlorinating station.

Rock Harbor developers also plan to begin adding the final paving layer in the next 30 days.

Planning commissioners also conducted further discussion of problems with developers who fail to comply with county ordinances. Mentioned during discussion was the continued unapproved roadwork being done on Four Winds Lane off of Snodgrass Road. (Previous development of homes and construction of the substandard road was never approved by the planning commission.) Mr. Tipton's continuation of the project was denied without prejudice during the August planning meeting due to unresolved issues involving roadwork and an unsafe intersection. Although Tipton failed to come back before the planning commission with a proposal to fix those problems, a representative from the construction company doing the unapproved work showed up at Tuesday's meeting to ask what his construction company was supposed to do.

Several commissioners shook their heads in disbelief and responded that you aren't really supposed to do anything until you have an approved plan.

Other attendees at the meeting also reported that illegal subdivisions were also being developed off of Cedar Fork Road and Dogwood Read.

With a cloud of frustration filling the room, the county planning commission voted for adjournment.