Planning commission recommends approval of major rewrite to Sevier County zoning regulations

The Sevierville Regional Planning Commission on Aug. 6 recommended approval of a comprehensive rewrite to the Sevier County Zoning Regulations, staff said. Development Director Corey Divel described the overhaul as “a large rewrite with the most significant changes being related to critical slope overlay and the hillside overlay protection.”

Planner Mr. Temple, who presented the draft, told commissioners the rewrite consolidates and clarifies site‑plan requirements, establishes conceptual, preliminary and final site plan procedures, updates driveway and parking-grade standards, revises critical‑slope and hillside overlay regulations and creates a five‑foot Firewise zone around building envelopes. He also said new mapping for hillside and critical‑slope overlay districts will be added and that zoning-district maps will be made available online. Mr. Temple asked the commission to recommend adoption by the County Commission.

The commission voted to recommend approval. Mayor Robbie Fox moved to approve the request; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The action forwards the draft regulations to the Sevier County Commission for its consideration, per the staff-requested path.