Formal Agreement Linked in Article
Image Credit: Townsend TN Chamber of Commerce
The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –
After concerns were raised by Townsend residents and by the Townsend City Council as to the large noisy events at the Smoky Mountain Event Center, an agreement was reached between the city government and the Smoky Mountain Tourism Authority (SMTDA).
Blount Partnership, the parent organization of SMTDA, was concerned about the limits placed on events by the City of Townsend at the tourist venue. The city government wanted to limit events through a permitting process that would facilitate large crowds, heavy traffic, laser light displays, and other elements that would violate the peaceful nature of the area. Blount Partnership did not like the restrictions.
Proposed legislation was filed by the legislators that represent Blount County that would allow the tourism authority to deannex from the city of Townsend, leaving regulation of the venue to the presumed more lenient Blount County government.
The City of Townsend and the SMTDA reached an agreement as the deannexation legislation advanced in the legislature. A full copy of the agreement is linked here.
Here are a few highlights of the agreement.
Townsend agreed to modify its Municipal Code § 9-501 and 9-509 to establish an “Annual Special Events Permit.”
Large events are defined as 12,000 attendees in a 24-hour period
Allowance of two large events in a 4-week period
Allowance of 15 large events annually
$5000 Annual Special Event Permit Fee
SMTDA will request withdrawal of the deannexation bill (HB980/SB965)
SMTDA will meet with Townsend officials quarterly
SMTDA will advise Townsend of the nature of scheduled events
SMTDA will yield on certain holiday dates for traditional city events
Questions remain as to the type of events that can be allowed under the new agreement and the effect that such events will have on the local city residents.
With a limit of 12,000 attendees, will the residents of Townsend be satisfied with the traffic and congestion created by those events? Will the revenue generated from large events offset taxpayer burden to run city services? Will the city of Townsend be required to approve events that it finds objectionable?
As the new agreement is used to permit events in Townsend over the next few months, the Tennessee Conservative News will follow citizens’ concerns as events unfold.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
