Zoning Appeals action defended

Dear Editor:

After reading another verbal attack on Ms. Shore in the newspaper regarding Maple Lane Farms, I feel I must try to set the record straight. It is apparent most of these people making the remarks concerning this matter were not in attendance at the January meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals, where Ms. Shore followed the guidelines set forth in the county zoning regulations and filed an appeal to the BZA Board concerning the music concerts at Maple Lane Farms.

As someone who was present at this meeting, I would like to try to enlighten your readers on this issue.

First of all it was apparent that Ms. Shore had taken the time to read and educate herself on the county regulations regarding zoning within the district where this farm is located. She could find no regulations that would allow the use of this property for music concerts, several times a year until 10 p.m., either as an accepted use or a use that can be granted as a special exception. She filed an appeal to the BZA Board requesting their opinion on the use of this property for such events.

She included in her appeal a copy of a letter from the county that had been issued to Maple Lane Farms in November of 2007 informing them the helicopter rides and concerts are not permitted uses allowed in the rural District 1 Zone and these activities must cease within the next 30 days. Later, she learned this decision had been changed and Maple Lane farms were now allowed to have four concerts a year without an appeal of this decision being brought before the BZA Board. Therefore, she was appealing the second decision that would allow these four concerts a year, that in her opinion wee done without following the appeal process set forth in the county regulations.

It was apparent from the discussion by the board members on this issue they could not find any county zoning regulation allowing the use of this land for any type of concerts. Therefore, the board approved Ms. Shore's appeal that the use of this land for music concerns was not an accepted use, and based their motion of approval for a concert once a year for a short period of time, upon the opinion rendered from the county mayor's attorney.

It is my opinion the board members followed the county regulations where they are granted the power "To hear appeals based upon the Blount County Zoning Regulations" and the statement within these regulations that "all other uses are prohibited except those uses permitted specifically by special exception by the Board of Zoning Appeals."

I would like to address the point that most of these previous letters stated, these events only happen once or twice a year. If your readers will take the time to look at the two web sites advertising the corn Maze and the Strawberry Jam Festival for 2007, you will note this is incorrect. The Corn Maze ran from Sept. 12 through Oct. 21, or for a total of 49 days, and the Strawberry Jam Festival ran from May 19 through the 20. And it appears thee were seven music concerts held during this time, until 10 p.m. including one of these concerts having fireworks after the 10 p.m. time.

I understand when Ms. Shore moved into her home, hoping to enjoy the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, Maple Lane Farms were only having the Corn Maze and hayrides, and later added the additional music concerts that last till 10 p.m. several times a year. I find it interesting that in the article published in your newspaper on Feb. 16, concerning the city of Maryville and the Vulcan Materials suit, that Mayor Swann was quoted in this article as saying "It is the job of the city to enforce its zoning laws and protect citizens from operations that diminish the quite enjoyment of their homes and property." Does this only apply to the citizens of the city, or should the county zoning regulations be applied on the same principle?

It is also interesting the daily poll that was conducted on line by your newspaper on Feb.. 13, indicated that 66 percent of the votes cast was in favor of banning concerts on farmland. therefore in my opinion I would think that most people are in favor of abiding by the regulations that are set in place by the county.

Melba Campbell

4124 Old Niles Ferry Road

Maryville, TN 37801