Image Credit: Concerned Citizens of Jefferson County
The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –
Like many rural communities, Jefferson County, Tennessee is suffering from growing pains. An influx of residents and developers that operate outside the norm serves as a constant source of stress for a population that desires to live a quiet life near two of Tennessee’s most beautiful lakes located near the foothills of a beautiful mountain range.
A myriad of zoning controversies have plagued the county for years.
The most recent shenanigan is a so-called “shed” development.
According to a report published by the Standard-Banner newspaper, “[t]he development at 2251 Jim Henry Road [Dandridge] by Grace Contractors, LLC, includes two 3,300-square-foot structures. Representatives of Grace had initially told the county building department the structures would be sheds, but then approached Planners to ask if they could be used as a ‘church camp’….. Representing Grace Developers, Jorge Lucas said the group’s intent from the beginning was to use the structures as a church camp.”
Residents and planners want to know how a couple of “sheds” turned into the development of a youth retreat for one hundred plus teenage boys. Planners told the developers that such a project was not permitted in A1 zoning where the lodge-type structures are currently under construction.
Speculation has raged in the community and concerned citizens have taken to social media with theories as to what the sheds may ultimately be used for. Each time the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) and Regional Planning Boards meet, those concerns are aired out during “Citizen Input” time.
Some of the citizen speakers at the November 14th BZA meeting were from the Forest Glen Estates neighborhood who opposed the shed development as well as short-term rentals in residential areas, warning that the developer could not be trusted to tell the truth.
With developers Jorge and Lucas Amet failing to gain approval from the BZA for a youth retreat church camp for 150 teenage boys, they requested to subdivide the 7.2-acre tract into 3 separate lots so the buildings could be used as residences. On November 26, their request was denied, a board decision which can be revisited at a later meeting.
At the present time, the fate of zoning is in limbo and construction continues.
A picture of the “shed” development is provided below.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and current Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
2 Responses
They need obliterated and the “developers” banned from the county.
Oh the tangled web of deceit some folks weave..
I feel bad for the church members that most likely funded this nonsense, and are going to be stuck paying for it. Did no church member check with the zoning board before allowing this plan to go into action, and funds were spent?
smh