Disaster Zoning Ordinance Passes Cookeville Council

Cookeville City Council approved a Disaster Declaration Ordinance for the planning department.

The ordinance gives the planning department the ability to extend planning deadlines for six months during a proclaimed disaster or emergency. Planning Director Jon Ward said the planning department discovered the potential issue in March. A planning department meeting was cancelled as the COVID shutdown began.

“If a development approval had been set to expire for the March meeting, the zoning code includes no provisions to address extensions due to insinuating circumstances,” Ward said.

Ward told the Council during a Monday work session that several current projects could be impacted by the proposed ordinance.

Property owners or developers would need to submit a request to the planning department prior to the expiration date. The request would need to include a justification for the extension.

The council voted unanimously Thursday night to approve the zoning code change on first reading.