Town of Cumberland Gap

The Board of Mayor and Alderman will hold a public hearing to gather input on Ordinance No. 9-2024, which amends the Zoning Ordinance by eliminating the 4-acre requirement for Planned Unit Developments. The ordinance can be reviewed at Cumberland Gap Town Hall.

The meeting addressed various town matters, including the financial report, which showed the first installment of American Rescue Funds received, and the upcoming second installment. Discussion included the need for a special census due to population decrease, and the impact of LMU campus closure on the census count. Concerns were raised about the temporary location of a food truck in a residential area, leading to a decision to explore food truck regulations. Other topics covered included the status of the Festival Park project, water loss issues, sewer plant equipment needs, and OSHA violations at the sewer plant. Citizen comments included concerns about the food truck and vacant properties.

The board meeting covered various topics including financial reports, bill approvals, and updates on planning and zoning, law and order, historical preservation, streets, parks and recreation, tourism, water, sewer, fire department, OSHA safety, and litigation. Key discussions included the approval of special event permits for Rumble in the Gap and the Junior Firefighter Program, the adoption of ordinances to adjust water, sewer, and garbage collection rates, and the approval of the annual budget and tax rate for FY 2022-2023. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a discussion regarding the termination of the town building inspector, Don Bryant, which ultimately resulted in a motion to ratify the mayor's decision failing for lack of a second. Citizen comments included concerns about environmental issues related to a distillery and complaints about the building inspector's practices. Announcements were made regarding Congressman Burchett's mobile office hours, petition deadlines for the November election, and upcoming public hearings and meetings.

The board meeting covered several key areas. Financial reports and bills were approved. A planned Planning and Zoning meeting was cancelled due to lack of agenda items, and the next meeting date was set. The subdivision ordinance review was postponed. The FY 2023 general fund budget was reviewed, with the water/sewer fund budget review scheduled for a later date. The first and second readings of the budget were scheduled for upcoming meetings. No citations were issued the previous month. A Historic Zoning Commission meeting was also cancelled due to lack of agenda items, with the next meeting date set. Upcoming events were announced, including the JFWA Prom, Wine & Art Extravaganza, and Tri-State Outdoor Fest. The outgoing fire chief was thanked for her service. A special event permit application for "Rumble in the Gap" was reviewed, with further information needed before action. Citizen comments included requests for a dead-end sign and a four-way stop. An ordinance amending the FY 2021-2022 budget was approved on first reading. A special event permit application for the "White Lightning Trail Festival" was approved. Finally, announcements were made regarding the closure of Town Hall on Memorial Day and upcoming meetings.

The board meeting covered various topics including financial reports, bill approvals, planning and zoning matters, updates on streets, parks and recreation, tourism events, water and sewer systems, fire department operations, and legal issues. A key discussion involved the termination of the building inspector, Don Bryant, due to concerns about lack of documentation and unprofessional conduct. The meeting also addressed special event permit applications for the Folk Fest (with an amendment) and the Duck Derby, as well as the awarding of a Tennessee Downtown grant to the Guardians of the Gap for downtown revitalization. Discussions also included recent flooding and the need for flood mitigation.