The Macon County Planning Board began conversations regarding two proposed ordinances.
During the March 7 Planning Board meeting, Commissioner Josh Young brought up both proposals to the board. The first was relaxing the rule barring outside fill dirt from being used in a floodplain. The second would increase the minimum acreage required for a soil erosion and sedimentation control plan for land disturbance activities from half an acre to a full acre.
Young said he wanted both ordinances to match state requirements, feeling that both are extra burdens on Macon County citizens.
Relaxing the outside fill dirt ban from floodplains comes from a farm off U.S. 441 that wanted to build a new access point.
County Plan Reviewer Joe Allen said FEMA allows fill dirt in floodplains, as does the towns of Franklin and Highlands, plus several neighboring counties. Allen also clarified the proposal does not include the floodway, just the floodplain. He also said while the towns don’t have as many issues with these, the counties do due to the large number of streams and rivers.
Several board members voiced concerns about a blanket change, saying it would lead to flood waters going elsewhere. Glenn Hedden said ordinance relaxation can be done within reason.
Regarding the minimum acreage for requiring a soil erosion and sedimentation control plan at half an acre for any land disturbance, Young said this was also in response to a call from a local resident.
Allen said half an acre in the mountains is different than half an acre on flat land in terms of layout and topography. Also, he said if a property owner says their property is half an acre and it’s not that much more, staff doesn’t disturb them.
Town of Highlands Planner Michael Mathis asked about a steep-slope ordinance like the one Highlands has, which in the past has been heavily discussed by Macon County.
The discussion asked about clearing silt fences and how many requests the county gets a year. After the discussion, the board wished to hear more about what neighboring counties do.
Near the end of the hour-long meeting, Young called it “respectful engagement.” Young also wished the state would make a blanket policy on both, so it’s not up to individual municipalities.
The Planning Board can make recommendations to the county commissioners, who can approve, disapprove, or send the changes back for adjustments.
The meeting was the last for Hedden and Carroll Poindexter, whose terms expired this month. Allen said both never missed a meeting in their six years each on the board. Poindexter said being on the board has given him a better perspective of the county he lives in.
The next Macon County Planning Board meeting is set for Thursday, April 4.