Roane County

The agenda for the meeting includes four new business items requiring discussion and potential action. These items consist of three Setback Variance requests: one for a 5' left side setback variance to place a mobile home (Nanette Lenz), one for a 15' front setback variance to build a home (Joseph McAbee), and one for an 18' front setback variance to build a storage garage (Shane Trew). The final item is a request for the approval of a Special Use Permit for Boyd Wayne McClure to operate a junk yard in an A2 zoned district.

The Roane County Commission meeting included updates from the Roane Alliance on economic and community development, including activity at Roane Regional Industrial Park. The commission discussed and approved resolutions concerning the naming of a private drive, the renaming of a county road, and the abandonment of a portion of Robinson Lane. Additionally, they authorized contracts for a timekeeping system and a third-party administrator for the county's self-insured workers compensation program. The commission also approved the allocation of office space and adopted Ambulance Fund fee schedule increases. The resignation of Jean Meredith from the Roane County Planning Commission was accepted.

The 10-year Parks & Recreation Master Plan focuses on maintaining and improving parks and recreational facilities within Roane County, Kingston, and Rockwood. Key areas of focus include ADA compliance, upgrades and expansion of existing parks, participation in regional planning initiatives like the Tennessee RiverLine, and exploration of connections to the Cumberland Trail State Park. The plan also addresses programming, organizational structure, and long-term maintenance, with specific recommendations for physical improvements and organizational enhancements to promote community health and recreational opportunities.

The 2025 Roane County Long-Range Strategic Plan outlines the county's development objectives for the next five to ten years, balancing economic growth with natural resource preservation. Key areas of focus include economy and tourism, infrastructure, facilities and services, and housing and zoning. The plan addresses transportation, water and wastewater, broadband, emergency services, fire services, parks and recreation, and school district facilities. It emphasizes strategic implementation through short, medium, and long-range recommendations, incorporating public engagement and aiming for sustainable development and long-term prosperity.

The meeting included discussions on various topics such as the confirmation of appointments to the Solid Waste Advisory Board and the Roane County Library Board. Zoning resolutions were addressed, along with resolutions concerning the abandonment of right-of-ways, authorization for legal actions regarding property violations, and amendments to several funds including the General Fund, Ambulance Fund, and others. Additional resolutions covered placing certain Wastewater department vehicles in surplus, applying for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant, making appropriations to nonprofit charitable organizations, and adding verbiage to the Roane County Government Employee Handbook regarding vacation time accrual.