Land use draws more than 100 to public information session

CLEVELAND - About 100 White County property owners showed up at the first of a series of public information sessions concerning the development of land use regulations being developed in the county.

The White County Board of Commissioners held the meeting at the Mossy Creek United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in an effort to hear from the public, and each of the commissioners said they got what they were seeking.

Commission Chairman Travis Turner said many good suggestions were offered.

"Tonight there were some very good points that were brought out to us, that I haven't thought of," Turner said. "There are some areas that I have actually marked on my notes -- areas that are too restrictive. All these are items that will be presented in a document and the citizens of White County, hopefully in November 2014, will have an opportunity to vote yes, no, or indifferent. At the end of the day we want the citizens to say, 'We had a say-so.'"

A large number attending expressed the concern that the issue needs to be addressed by voters at the polls.

Commissioner Lyn Holcomb said that's the commission intention.

"That was the first thing that most of the people were asking me, and that is only the right thing to do, I think, is to let the people vote on this and decide," Holcomb said.

While many of those in attendance didn't want to comment publicly, they expressed various ideas, from "something needs to be done" to "I don't want anyone telling me what to do with my property."

Another information session will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Sautee-Nachoochee Center for residents in the northern part of the county.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/8/264599