January 24, 2025 at 4:09 p.m.
A bill that would bar members of the public from commenting on proposed developments in front of local government bodies has been proposed in the Tennessee statehouse.
It’s part of an effort to stimulate affordable housing by making it easier for developers to get projects approved, the bill’s sponsors said.
According to the bill, the public could still comment on proposed developments at planning commission meetings or during rezoning hearings, but not at meetings where projects receive final approval.
If passed, the measure could squash input from neighbors and people most affected by new developments, who often don’t hear about proposed housing until it’s been approved, opponents of the bill said.
“We wouldn’t want anything to reduce the ability of someone to speak out against a zoning change in front of their legislative body,” Executive director of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government Deborah Fisher said by phone.
‘SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE’
The bill came from Beacon Impact, the advocacy arm of the conservative Beacon Center, based in Nashville. Scott Gilmer of Beacon Impact said that statewide polling and listening tours have found affordable housing is becoming a top issue for many Tennesseans.
There is a housing shortage across the state, Gilmer said.
“Not only in rental units and low-income housing, but for starter homes and other places up the housing ladder,” Gilmer said by phone. “It seems as Tennessee grows and population increases, new housing options are just not being developed fast enough.”
The Beacon Center is trying to target regulations that drive up the cost of construction and slow down development, Gilmer said. Since public comment can draw out the development process, Gilmer said, this bill aims to streamline the path to new housing.
To Read the rest of the story, visit: Bill would limit public comment in hopes of streamlining development | Chattanooga Times Free Press
