Public comment for property developments would be eliminated under proposed bill

Public comment periods would be eliminated at county commission and city council meetings on applications for new property developments if the proposed development substantially complies with previously reviewed zoning regulations or maps under a bill introduced this week.

The bill mandates that local legislative bodies “shall approve an application for a proposed development without allowing public comment” if it “is in substantial compliance with the zoning regulations or map that were previously made available for public review and comment.”

The law, if passed, would take effect on July 1, 2025, and would apply to development applications submitted on or after that date.

By limiting public comment on developments that already substantially conform to existing zoning standards, the bill could streamline the development approval process and potentially reduce bureaucratic delays. But it also would eliminate the ability of members of the public who are affected by the proposed development to make comments about it at their city council or county commission meetings.

Public would no longer be able to address city councils, county commissions on developments

This could be particularly problematic when members of the public were unaware of the proposed property development until later, or opposition to the project grew as more members of the public became aware of the details. Generally, proposed property developments are first heard by a planning commission, then sent to the city or county legislative body for final approval.

The bill does not eliminate public comment at the planning commissions. But members of the public would not be able to address members of the legislative body who have final decision-making power over a development.

The bill (SB137/HB183) is being carried by Sen. Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville) and Rep. Kelley Keisling, R-Byrdstown. Briggs is expected to be re-appointed as chairman of the Senate State and Local Committee. Keisling has been the chair of the House State Government Committee, which is being combined with the House Local Government Committee. The new committee members and chairs have not yet been announced.