The Planning Department provides technical assistance to the Morristown Regional Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Mayor and City Council, Tree Board, various City departments, citizens and other governmental jurisdictions.
Activities include: long-range planning (maintaining a comprehensive plan); short-range planning (development and administration of a zoning ordinance, zoning maps); technical studies (annexations, property rezoning, street or alley closing); community development grants; and special projects (neighborhood studies, community profiling).
The Planning Department serves the development community by playing an integral role in the plans review process and works to encourage quality and responsible growth.
EnerGov
The City of Morristown recently implemented a new streamlined permitting system using a software program called EnerGov. This system connects various government departments, including Engineering, Inspections, Planning, and Wastewater, through a computer system which allows the departments to share information and access applications simultaneously.
EnerGov automates the permit submittal and approvals process by allowing developers, builders, engineers and architects to submit applications via computer. Through the new system, city staff is able to conduct comprehensive reviews more efficiently. The EnerGov installation demonstrates the City’s commitment to offering innovative and efficient development services to businesses looking to expand or locate in our community.
Zoning Ordinance
Zoning Maps
The City of Morristown zoning maps are now available through ESRI. To access the maps, click on this link. Enter the street address of the property you want to check the zoning on (for example: 100 W. First North Street Morristown, TN 37814). Be sure to include at least the city and state in the address search. The parcel will be noted by a text box and arrow. Click directly on the parcel to see the zoning classification highlighted. The zoning will be abbreviated (example: IB for Intermediate Business). For information on each zone, please see the Zoning Ordinance or contact a Planning Department representative.
Additional property information may be accessed through the State of Tennessee Real Estate Assessment Data website.
Morristown Regional Planning Commission & Board of Zoning Appeals
The Morristown Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is responsible for growth planning within the city limits as well as the city’s urban growth boundary (UGB). Issues that arise in the UGB often require coordinating efforts with Hamblen County government agencies.
The Morristown Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) reviews variance and use on review requests in an effort to balance Zoning Ordinance requirements with special circumstances and site conditions. Each variance request is reviewed based upon specific criteria and whether or not a hardship is created by adhering to the Zoning Ordinance. Hardships may be created by topography, irregular lot shapes or existing easements.
The MRPC and BZA meet every second Tuesday of the month at 4:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the City Center. For applications, fees and deadline dates, please see the links below:
MRPC & BZA Members:
Mayor Danny Thomas (MRPC, BZA)
Councilman Robert (Bob) Garrett (MRPC, BZA)
Mr. Jim Beelaert (MRPC, BZA)
Mr. John ‘Jack’ Kennerly (MRPC, BZA)
Ms. Katy Tindall Klose (MRPC, BZA)
Mr. Ken Smith (MRPC, BZA)
Mr. Kelley Hinsley (MRPC)
Ms. Rose Parella (MRPC)
Mr. Bill Thompson (MRPC, BZA)
MRPC/BZA Meeting Schedule & Deadline Dates
Planning Commission Application
Annexation, Street/Alley Closing, Subdivision Review, Rezoning
Board of Zoning Appeals Application
Use on Review, Variance, Ordinance Interpretations
Home Occupation Permit Application
For limited home-based businesses
Development Checklists
Residential Site Plan Checklist
Required for new single family or duplex development
Sample Site Plan for Residential Development
Checklist for Rezoning or Uses on Review
Sample Site Plan for Rezoning and Uses on Review
Required Stormwater Information for Plans Submittal(engineering Dept)
Note: Checklists are provided as a reference tool, but do not replace or override requirements of the Zoning Ordinance or other pertinent regulations.
Annexation and the Urban Growth Boundary
Annexation is the legal procedure by which a city adds land to its jurisdiction in order to extend its services, laws and voting privileges to better meet the needs of residents. The Morristown Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) was established by Public Chapter 1101 on May 19, 1998. The UGB acts as a guide for the growth of the city in the coming years. Areas within the UGB have been approved for the expansion of the city limits through annexation, although this doesn’t mean formal plans have been made for such annexation in any given area. The Morristown Regional Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals review all requests submitted to the Hamblen County Planning Department for properties located within the UGB.
Links
American Planning Association
Hamblen County Planning Department
Planning Commissioners Journal
Smart Growth
Tennessee Chapter of the American Planning Association
Contact
Planning Department
P.O. Box 1499
Morristown, TN 37816-1499
Tel: 423.585.4620
Fax: 423.585.4679
Email: planning@mymorristown.com
