The Blount County Planning Commission approved [1] Overlook at Montvale Phase I, pending completion of some erosion controls and other construction items.

The proposal to increase rural R-1 density within the urban growth boundary apparently fizzled [2] and did not come up for a vote. But, the Planning Commission did vote to update the R-1 zoning to include exceptions for convenience stores on a case by case basis.

Follow the links for more details from the Maryville Daily Times.

P.S. Money quote in the MDT from County Commissioner Brad Harrison: "We need to look at really helping our people who are willing to invest in Blount County. We need to bend over backwards and try to help them instead of trying to treat them as criminals."