Project Commonly Known As “The Sheds”
Image Credit: Concerned Citizens of Jefferson County / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –
A developer and property owner gained approval to build “sheds” on property in the Indian Creek area of Jefferson County. Then local residents were shocked to see just how elaborate the “sheds” turned out to be when they were constructed.
Rumors raged as to what the lodge-style structures were going to be used for in their final configuration.
The developers asked the Jefferson County Planning Commission if the elaborate “sheds” could be used as a church camp or youth retreat for 150 teenage boys. Planners advised the developers that such use was not permitted in the A1 zone.
Nearby residents were not amused and turned out to public meetings expressing their concerns to the planning authorities in record numbers. At one point, developers rejected a request to subdivide the 7.2-acre tract into 3 separate lots.
Then everything went quiet.
Most recently a two-lot plat was approved and the Tennessee Conservative News reached out to the Jefferson County Zoning office for an update. They commented as follows.
“In reference to the property, located at 2251 Jim Henry Road, Dandridge- The property owner brought a 2-lot survey into the Environmental Office for approval, and it was signed by Tom Carter, the Environmental Director for Jefferson County. Once the plat was approved by Tom Carter, there was no reason that it could not be approved in-house. It was then brought into the Zoning Office for the signature to be recorded. The revised plat met all the requirements for a 2-lot plat approval. (TCA §13-3-402) Plats that are three-lots go through the Planning Commission for approval, plats that are 4 or more lots, must go through the Planning Commission for a preliminary plat review and a final plat approval.
Once the plat was recorded, the property owner resubmitted a new application with the Jefferson County Building Department with a revised plan to connect the two structures, making them one house. They were issued a change of use permit and paid the additional building permit fee and the school facilities tax.” – said Stephanie Rustin, Director of Planning and Zoning, Jefferson County Zoning Office
Concerned citizens in the nearby community still have questions about the “shed” project and have expressed concerns about the land use plan of Jefferson County, zoning regulations, and certain variances granted to developers of property across the county.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
