Before a packed room last night, the Cannon County Commission moved forward on two issues, one several years in the making. The commission accepted the recommendation of the planning commission and adopted a zoning plan for Cannon County. The construction of facilities of two rock quarries, a shooting range and now an asphalt plant continued to place zoning on the mind of many county residents.During the public hearing period of the meeting, most comments pertained to the question of zoning, both pro and con. Commission policy normally allows for a 15-minute period for comments from the public. During the meeting that time was extended until all who wished to speak could do so. The issue is very emotional and brought compassioned pleas from both sides of the topic.
The planning commission presented what has been referred to as a “base bones” plan. Planning Commission Boyd Barker said, “only if you are building a business or industry, will you likely know that this zoning is in place.” One member of the committee referred to it as the “most property rights friendly zoning plan he had ever seen.” The entire plan is 43 pages in length compared to neighboring counties whose plans are hundreds of pages in length.
Following an extended period of discussion, the commission voted and by a majority vote the plan was accepted.
For some in opposition, the discussion did not end as one commissioner was threated because of their vote for the plan.
The other major topics of this term’s final meeting dealt with the approval of the budget of the county for fiscal year 2018-2019 and the setting of the tax rate for fiscal year 2018-2019 to deal with those expenditures.
After much discussion on a short term transfer of funding dealing with solid waste, the commissioners settled on the amount of $100,000. The budget is still under the close supervision of the state comptrollers office and the action taken should keep the county in “good graces” with the state.
The tax rate will remain the same at $2.38, however this is a real when property values have undergone re-evaluation.
The meeting lasted for over two and a half hours.
