Many years ago, the Haywood County Commission and Board of Alderman of the City of Brownsville passed zoning resolutions and building codes for the safety concerns of our citizens. Those laws dictated the building standards and restricted activities which are allowed on property.
When Blue Oval City was announced, it became immediately apparent that new provisions and changes had to be made to accommodate the anticipated workers necessary to build such a massive construction project. The County Planning Commission immediately went to work to and developed a comprehensive plan to accommodate the needs for additional housing while ensuring the safety of the public and the occupants living in those quarters.
Many of our citizens applied and obtained permits and variances from the Haywood County Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Haywood County Commission. Those permits and variances have restrictions and limitations to ensure the safety of those concerned. In December 2023, I learned that some citizens did not have the required permits and were, in fact, violating our zoning laws and our building codes. So, I instructed the Code Enforcement officer of Haywood County to enforce the laws of Haywood County. Notices were provided to the offenders and meetings were had, but violations continued. In April 2024, the State Fire Marshal inspected certain locations and found several of those locations were in violation of the National Electrical Code as well as Tennessee laws. Ample time was allowed to cure the violations. After the time to cure passed, a letter was forwarded to Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation for their consideration.
On Thursday, July 18, 2024, Southwest Tenn. Electric decided to terminate the electricity to the locations that were in violation and the offenders were notified that electricity to various locations would be terminated on July 24, 2024. The offenders were given six (6) additional days to notify their tenants to make other arrangements.
Haywood County government does not have the authority to cut off electricity, nor does it have the power to turn electricity back on. Our hearts go out to those that have been affected by the conduct of the violators, but safety is our paramount concern.
