Do you think our Planning Commission will start addressing the concerns of the citizens on this issue? (from The Daily Times, March 26,2008)

The Blount County Planning Commission might end up taking a stand against the continuing strip commercialization of U.S. 411 South if a statement added to the draft county Policies Plan is ultimately approved.

The principle is a recommendation from the Hunter Interests Growth Study. County Commission Chairman Robert Ramsey expressed surprise that it wasn't being enforced.

Those are words on paper," Planning Director John Lamb said. "Nobody is following it. ... The Planning Commission has been recommending (the rezonings) and the County Commission has been approving them."

I've got a feeling that a lot of the people are not really happy with what's been done on 411," Planning Commissioner Bill Proffitt said.