Commission hoping to settle suit

Loudon County Commission voted Monday to allow attorney Kyle A. Baisley with Long, Ragsdale & Waters, P.C., a Knoxville law firm representing the county, to negotiate with Belle West Pointe LLC in an attempt to reach a settlement on pending litigation with Lenoir City.

Commissioner Joe Morrison, who along with Commissioner Van Shaver represents District 5, added the item to Monday’s commission meeting agenda. He said Baisley met with commissioners earlier in the day to provide information on the lawsuit and offer recommendations.

“I thought it would be good if I made the motion based on what I was told,” Morrison said.

Morrison said there was no discussion between commissioners.

Commission voted 7-3 on Feb. 6 to pursue legal action against Lenoir City over the annexation of property owned by Belle West Pointe and WNW Properties LLC. The parcels to be used for a housing subdivision were annexed in May 11, 2020, and Nov. 14.

Both properties are outside an established Urban Growth Boundary. The annexations are in conflict with a 2005 interlocal agreement between the city and county.

Included in Morrison’s motion was approval for Shaver to act as a representative for commission in negotiations with Baisley and allow County Mayor Rollen “Buddy” Bradshaw to execute any final settlement documents on behalf of the county.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Adam Waller and approved in a 9-1 vote with Commissioner William Jenkins dissenting.

Shaver said if Baisley chooses to have conversations with the developer, he assumes he will be involved.

Having just one commissioner involved prevents violations of state open meetings laws, Shaver said.

“It’s just to be there to have somebody on the commission,” Shaver said. “It is my district, and Joe (Morrison) is the other commissioner but I’ve been there a little bit longer than Joe has. We can’t have two of us, so that’s the reason.”

Shaver said no dates for negotiations have been set and he doesn’t know the next steps. He said anything related to the annexation or lawsuit will go through Baisley.