Building codes, inspections on the horizon?
DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor
At the Metro Moore Council meeting on Monday, March 17, members debated whether to hire an inspector to enforce standard building codes, a topic previously discussed by the Planning and Zoning Commission earlier this month.
Debate Over Hiring an Inspector
Council members weighed the financial impact of bringing on an inspector. District 4’s Peggy Sue Blackburn voiced concerns about adding another paid position, noting that taxpayers are already burdened.
However, Planning and Zoning Chairman Dexter Golden (District 3) suggested the funding model would have the inspector paid through building permit fees rather than general taxpayer funds. Instead of a full-time hire, the inspector could be contracted on a per-job basis.
A key concern was the county’s liability if the inspector were an independent contractor. Greg Guinn (District 5) pointed out that the county might still need to provide insurance coverage. Mayor Sloan Stewart clarified that if the inspector worked for the county, liability would fall under existing blanket coverage.
Should Inspections Be Mandatory?
Council members also debated whether inspections should be required. Robert Bracewell (District 2) suggested a compromise: inspections would be optional, but a property’s deed could indicate whether it met building codes, allowing for a “buyer beware” approach.
Amy Cashion (District 1) emphasized that the discussion was not new, stating, “It’s not like it’s coming out of the blue.”
Planning and Zoning Board member Jimmy Hammond questioned whether the council was prepared to take the next step: “Does the council feel good that this is something that could possibly be adopted if it was ever voted on?”
District 4’s Arvis Bobo acknowledged the challenge in gaining public support but recognized the benefits: “It wouldn’t pass because very few people are building houses – but it’s probably a good idea. It keeps some jackleg from coming in here, especially if it pays for itself.”
Next Steps
The council ultimately voted to allow Planning and Zoning to explore a tailored building code framework:
• In Favor: Arvis Bobo, Amy Cashion, Jimmy Hammond, John Taylor, Gerald Burnett, Dexter Golden, Greg Guinn.
• Opposed: Darrel Richards, Shane Taylor, Douglas Carson, Robert Bracewell, Peggy Sue Blackburn.
Solar Farm Size Limits
Planning and Zoning initially proposed a five-acre limit on solar farms while allowing private landowners to install solar panels without restrictions.
On Monday, Robert Bracewell (District 2) suggested reducing the cap to one acre. Figures show a single acre can generate 4,225.5 kWh per day – enough to power 140 homes.
Jimmy Hammond (District 5) proposed a stricter 0.25-acre limit, arguing that this would still exceed personal energy needs. Also, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) does not offer a buyback program for excess solar power.
The final amendment set the limit at 0.25 acres for ground-mounted solar farms, while rooftop solar remains unrestricted. The council also clarified that the five-year moratorium applies only to large-scale ground solar projects, not businesses installing rooftop panels. The amendment passed after discussion and a formal vote.
Other Actions
• School Bond Refinancing – Mayor Sloan Stewart secured a lower 4.49% interest rate (down from 5.3%), leading to significant savings over five years. The resolution was approved and sent to the comptroller.
• Garbage Truck Purchase – Due to rust issues in the existing fleet, the council approved purchasing a new garbage truck for approximately $250,000, to be financed over five years at $51,000 per year. A second reading and public hearing are set for April 21.
• EMS Equipment Grant – The council approved using a $150,000 grant to buy three new automatic external defibrillator (AED) monitors for EMS. By trading in old monitors, the final cost was reduced to $135,000.
