Blount County Planning | 05-28-26

The Blount County Planning Commission held a meeting on May 28, 2026, primarily addressing a site plan review for a 62-unit multi-family residential development on a 10-acre parcel at Morganton Road and William Blount Drive. The commission discussed zoning compliance, traffic impact studies, utility service letters, and design standards, ultimately approving the site plan with conditions including buffering adjustments along Morganton Road. Additionally, the commission approved several final plats with conditions related to utility certifications and maintenance agreements. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to public input, where numerous community members expressed strong opposition to proposed AI data centers, citing environmental, economic, and health concerns. Commissioners acknowledged the public's concerns, clarified that no formal proposals for data centers had been submitted, and noted ongoing discussions about potential zoning regulations to address such developments. No votes or motions were taken regarding AI data centers during this meeting.