This Dunlap, Tenn., subdivision is a result of local government contracting with the Southeast Tennessee Development District for new developments. It is located at the foot of Daus Mountain, just south of downtown Dunlap.WHAT’S THE PLAN?
The Southeast Tennessee Development District has contracted with 19 local governments to provide planning services after the state’s elimination of planning help: Benton, Dayton, Decatur, Ducktown, Dunlap, Englewood, Etowah, Graysville, Jasper, Kimball, Marion County, McMinn County, Meigs County, Monteagle, Niota, Polk County, Powells Crossroads, Rhea County and Spring City.Source: Southeast Tennessee Development District
Beth Jones, Southeast Tennessee Development District executive directorBefore July, local governments’ planning commissions could contract with the state for planning help, but the service was eliminated from this year’s state budget as part of cost-cutting measures.
The Southeast Tennessee Development District, and its sibling associations around the state, stepped in to fill the planning gap, said Beth Jones, executive director of the Chattanooga-based agency.
“Our executive board voted to assume those responsibilities for any local government that wanted to contract under the same conditions [those governments had with the state],” Jones said.
Larger governments, such as Chattanooga, Hamilton County, neighboring Bradley County and Cleveland, have planning offices and certified planners of their own, but smaller communities often have few resources beyond a group of appointed citizen planning commissioners who might have little or no expertise in the field, officials said.