Glenn K. Berry

The meeting included opening proceedings with an invocation and pledge allegiance. Key discussions involved presentations and proclamations, specifically designating March 5th, 2026 as Big South Championship Appreciation Day, and proclaiming March 10th, 2026 as Tennessee Days of Hope. Public comment was heard regarding a rezoning request (Item 8.1), raising concerns about transparency and alignment with the Horizon 2045 development plan, particularly concerning the shift from compact residential to commercial zoning. The consent agenda required pull-outs for further discussion: Item 6.1.1 concerning materials reimbursement for the Landy Midway development, where the exclusion of sales tax in the reimbursement was questioned; Item 6.1.2 for general discussion; and Item 6.1.4, which involves applying for a local parks and recreation fund grant to replace field lighting at Arowwood Mashurnfield. Additionally, Item 6.1.3 was removed from the consent agenda for further memorandum of understanding adjustments. An agreement with Boyd Sports LLC for improvements at the city-owned TVA Credit Union Ballpark, involving replacing deteriorating netting and pole structures, was also discussed.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and the pledge of allegiance, followed by the approval of the agenda with an amendment to relocate item 7.3 from the consent agenda to the front of new business for discussion regarding an easement for a turnaround. The minutes from the January 13th meeting were approved without changes. Key discussions involved the election of new officers, resulting in Commissioner Dutton being elected as the new chairman, Commissioner Laura Kelly as vice chairman, Commissioner Robert Williams continuing as secretary, and Commissioner Timbra Aldridge as vice secretary. The agenda also addressed public comments, specifically concerning the Claude Simmons item, which was scheduled for a public hearing after the staff presentation. The consent agenda (items 7.1 and 7.2) was approved. New business included the approval of a final plat with an easement for a turnaround, and the recommendation of approval for a text amendment by Washington County regarding vested rights (sections 511 and 512) to align with state code, which passed following a roll call vote. Finally, the commission reviewed a request to rezone a property on People Street from R3 Medium Density Residential to MS1 Medical Services, noting the proposed 4,200 square foot building (potentially a restaurant) and discussing its alignment with the Horizon 2045 plan's designation for the area.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and the pledge of allegiance. Public comment was received from Mr. Silven Brun regarding proposed changes to the bylaws of the Washington County Johnson City Animal Shelter, specifically concerning representation and the option for the city to appoint internal officials instead of residents. The consent agenda included approval for annual maintenance inspection and monitoring services for Johnson City Schools' building systems technology, provided by Building Systems Technology, a division of Eagle Fire Inc., and approval for services provided by Stellar Therapy Services related to Medicaid reimbursement for special education and nursing services. Subsequent agenda items addressed second reading and public hearing for an ordinance to amend the Horizon 2045 future land use plan concerning a 2.64-acre site at Princeton Road and Nave Drive, and a related rezoning ordinance (from R2, R5, and I1 to R3) to allow for the construction of 16 townhomes on the site, which staff recommended aligning with compact residential zoning.

The meeting included procedural details for public hearings and set the agenda. Key discussions involved a zoning code text amendment for Washington County, which aimed to add a definition to the zoning ordinance to clarify regulations regarding certain meat processing and packaging activities. The Commission recommended approval of this text amendment. A second item involved a request to rezone a property on Bob Clark Road from R1 low density residential to A1 general agriculture to allow for a second small residence, with the Commission recommending approval while keeping the existing place type designation. The third agenda item was the preliminary plat approval for the Buckingham Boone Station Subdivision, which involves a 42-lot subdivision and a 60-unit duplex PUD, requiring widening of Peaky Fuffer Road. The final item addressed the preliminary plat and site plan for the Boones Creek Prominade subdivision, including commercial site plan approval and a nine-lot subdivision, which involves improvements to Boone Creek Road and Christian Church Road, and the provision of a greenway trail along Boone Creek.

The Board of Commissioners meeting included discussions on public comment, approval of the consent agenda (with specific items pulled for separate discussion), and a motion to table item 5.1.1 for future consideration to allow staff time to gather comparative data. Key agenda items included the resurfacing of the Rotary Park Playground, where turf would be replaced with a rubberized surface to enhance safety and accessibility, with completion projected by May. The board also discussed awarding a contract to CDM Smith to update the Metropolitan Transportation and Safety Plan, a mandatory five-year update necessary for securing federal funding, focusing on safety elements like high-incident corridors and vulnerable users. Additionally, the board received a presentation from the auditors, Blackburn Childers and Stagall, on the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, audit, which resulted in a clean opinion despite a finding related to water and sewer inventory variances due to software calculation issues. The board also voted on two ordinances related to amending the Horizon 2045 future land use plan and rezoning property at the corner of Princeton Road and Nave Drive to accommodate a 16-unit housing development.