Townsend to vote on hotel definition, minimum lot size

The Townsend Planning Commission further debated legal definitions Thursday night before pushing to vote on the definition of a hotel at their next meeting. Commissioners have been working to clarify terms after the approval of a novel hotel concept provoked outcry from residents.

Commissioners approved site plans for Ofland Great Smoky Mountains in January , giving the development made of dozens of individual cabins the green light and bringing an end to months of debate over whether to treat the design as a hotel or a campground. The project, which will feature a central cafeteria and an outdoor movie screen, has faced strong opposition from residents who claim the development will detract from Townsend’s “peaceful side of the Smokies” aesthetic.

After initially seeking approval as a campground last year, Ofland developers removed campsites from their design and gained approval as a hotel.

Groups of citizens have since called on the commission and the Townsend Board of Commissioners to recall the vote approving Ofland, which was formerly dubbed Yonder, after voicing concerns over procedural errors.

Last month, commissioners hosted a work session where they discussed possible definitions for items like hotels, campgrounds, accessory use and accessory structures — all topics brought up during the approval of Ofland. After a lengthy debate, they decided on a state definition of hotels that includes “any structure or space, or any portion thereof, that is occupied, intended or designed for occupancy by transients for dwelling, lodging or sleeping purposes.”

Four of seven commissioners were present Thursday. Townsend Mayor Don Prater said they would vote to approve the new hotel definition for city use at the next meeting.

Planning Commissioner Haskell Rhett said he felt the definition should be more specific.

“It looks to me as if some poor sap had been assigned the responsibility of writing up a definition and he did something general that included everything,” he said. “We need something more specific that will target the issue in Townsend.”

Rhett, who was not on the planning commission when it approved the Ofland development, said he would like another stab at coming up with a definition customized to Townsend. He agreed to draft an additional definition to compete with the one from the state before next month’s meeting.

Prater said he would prefer the commission move quickly on its definitions.

“I think there’s a desire from the community to not dilly-dally,” he said.

City Planner Ekem Amonoo-Lartson told commissioners they should be cautious about moving too quickly, as they will be forced to adhere to whatever definition they approve.

The commission also made plans to vote on raising the minimum lot size in the city — bringing the limit up to 0.75 acres. The move, Prater has said, would reduce crowding in Townsend and keep the city from becoming too overdeveloped.