BLUFF CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – The Sullivan County Planning and Zoning Department held a public meeting to develop the South Holston River Watershed Community’s Outdoor Recreation and Sustainable Development Land Use Plan.
Ambre Torbett, Sullivan County’s director of planning and community development and stormwater manager, said there are many requests for development, so the county commission thought it would make sense to study this area. This zoning plan will transition into the full countywide zoning plan update.
The Planning Department held a participation meeting to hear the ideas and thoughts of the surrounding community.
“We’re talking about how important this ecosystem is and how it’s a rare place in the country where you can fish for trout and so on,” said Stephanie Odum, who lives in the South Holston River Watershed Community. “And the last thing we wanted to do was turn it into a Lorax situation and destroy the very thing that drew people to the area in the first place.”
Odum said her family has lived around the South Holston River for decades.
“It’s not that we’re against development. It’s more that it has to be sustainable, responsible and environmentally friendly,” Odum said. “And quite frankly, as a homeowner, I don’t want to drive down the road and have the beautiful river views destroyed by condos or high-rises, or it becoming some kind of second Gatlinburg. That’s the last thing we want.”
Torbett said such high-impact developments would not be appropriate for the area.
“Without the expansion of public sewer in this area of the county, this region, we’re not going to see this greater impact from condominiums or more densely populated areas. It just can’t happen,” Torbett said.
“The water quality, the erosion of the river, the stream banks and all the streams that flow into the river need to be protected, preserved and better managed. Otherwise there will not be good water quality and there will not be good fishing.”
Torbett said high-impact developments like Winged Deer Park in Johnson City would be better placed near state highways.
“Because of the river’s environmental sensitivity, it is important to protect and ensure that it is developed in an environmentally sound manner,” Torbett said. “That’s why we are looking for more nature trails, if the opportunity arises, and basically we want to preserve what we have.”
The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail is already a resource in the South Holston River Watershed Community.
During the meeting, participants were able to fill out surveys about what they envisioned for this corridor.
“I wouldn’t mind the little cabins,” Odum said. “I wouldn’t mind cabins if they were done well. We don’t necessarily want a lot of parking. That will affect how much runoff goes into the river. Right now it’s mostly single-family homes, and I think that’s OK.”
“I think campgrounds would be OK again if they were environmentally responsible. It’s really about making sure we don’t impact the fisheries and wildlife in that area and that we don’t impact the water quality.”
Torbett said the South Holston River corridor already offers many water activities, such as fishing, kayaking and canoeing. She said the water quality needs to be maintained so locals and tourists can continue to enjoy these activities for years to come.
The community can contact the planning department with questions or suggestions. Torbett said the survey will soon be posted on the Sullivan County Planning Department’s social media pages.
She also said that she appreciated the community attending this meeting and providing feedback.
The draft land use plan for the South Holston River Watershed Community will be presented to the Sullivan County Planning Commission at its July meeting.
Torbett said the goal is to complete it in the next three to four months.
