Family Businesses and Rezoning
Good Afternoon!
With the recent discussion related to the rezoning of properties on both 411 and Montvale Road. I have a question and I am seeking input. Family businesses for many years have been a backbone of both employment and taxes in Blount County. When zoning came along these business, many of which, were located out in the county and in what one would consider residential areas.
As our County grows so do these family businesses, I mean they are local and have a interest in the local economy and contribute to the local economy as well.
How are these businesses supposed to grow? Where are they supposed to grow? Are they supposed to grow?
Please feel free to chime in as I intend to bring this discussion up before the County Commission soon.
Thanks!
Mike
With the recent discussion related to the rezoning of properties on both 411 and Montvale Road. I have a question and I am seeking input. Family businesses for many years have been a backbone of both employment and taxes in Blount County. When zoning came along these business, many of which, were located out in the county and in what one would consider residential areas.
As our County grows so do these family businesses, I mean they are local and have a interest in the local economy and contribute to the local economy as well.
How are these businesses supposed to grow? Where are they supposed to grow? Are they supposed to grow?
Please feel free to chime in as I intend to bring this discussion up before the County Commission soon.
Thanks!
Mike
While I generally agree that family businesses need to be encouraged and promoted, I believe the issue of Blount
Excavating is a different issue. A lay down yard can be placed in a number of places without causing a nuisance to the neighbors. The number of people that will be employeed by the company will not be decreased for lack of this yard.
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Don,
I appreciate your comment, however this question does not reflect action to be taken on either rezoning currently before the commission. It does have to do with how to handle a serious problem that we (Blount County) has.
My understanding of what I have been told is that in the County, outside of either cities limits, all businesses operating with zoning went into place were grandfathered and only certain areas received a general "commercial" zoning status.
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Commissioner Walker,
These business should grow just like any new business. They must purchase property appropriately zoned for business. It is not fair to saddle only new business with the requirement to obey zoning. If what I have heard is correct, there are existing businesses which have purchased property not zoned for business and used if for business purposes. This purchased property was adjacent to their grandfathered property and so they are trying to promote the size of their "grandfather". If so, this a violation of the zoning law. Such violation should not be rewarded by granting a waver.
Business wanting to grow outside the boundary to which they were grandfathered should plan appropriately and buy property zoned for business just like everyone else who operates or wants to operate a business.
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Forrest,
Thank you for you input.
This question was directed at a general question not the rezonings that are currently before the Blount County Commission.
Your last state brings to light the situation that we, Blount County, are in. "Business wanting to grow outside the boundary to which they were grandfathered should plan appropriately and buy property zoned for business just like everyone else who operates or wants to operate a business." This property that they are supposed to buy, I am unaware where it exist or where it should exist if it doesn't.
Thanks,
Mike
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My comment concerns zoning laws altogether. The government should not have any say in where a business or house is to be built. Using the government to restrict and limit private property usage is a dangerous road to travel. This will eventually lead to restrictions on ALL private property, not just land!
Instead the power to restrict land use should rest COMPLETELY with the citizens. Informed citizens and citizens groups should be relied upon to handle these issues. By allowing the government to step in and regulate private property, you are essentially saying you do not believe Blount Countians intelligent enough to decide how to use their property, so you'll use the police power of the government to decide for them.
It is also very disturbing that you regard businesses as "...a backbone of...taxes in Blount County." Businesses do not exist to supply the government with tax money (nor do citizens for that matter). Business exist to serve the people of the local community. It's unfortunate the biggest hurdles most businesses must overcome to be successful are the countless regulations and tax compliance laws.
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Thank you for your post and your input. In general I would agree with most of your post, except for the part where you stated quote a portion of my original post. The original post read, "Family businesses for many years have been a backbone of both employment and taxes in Blount County."
Long before Walmart, Foothills Mall, and others local mom & pop businesses and in home businesses were just this.
Thanks again!
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I think our county commissoners should do everything they can to help our business's. A time when revenue's are down and the county looking for money is a good time to be supportive. I have read the letters in the Daily Times, against the Blount Excavating rezoning. And have not seen any supporting the rezoning, and I wrote in, too.I used to live out there as a child, so I took a drive out there again. A good number of the homes in the area are run down, disabled vehicles in the yards, and so on. They have only seemed to take an interest, as the popularity, grew, from only a few, to try and stop the zoning. The Garners are fine people and contribute to the community. I also think the Franklin property in Sevierville Road should be amended. I read the letter Mr. Schwab wrote the Daily Times and he has very little to back his allegations. That is a personal issue he has with Mr. Franklin. Thanks for your time.
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