NEWPORT-The Cocke County Regional Planning Commission has approved an Annual Planning Program Design for Cocke County effective July 1.

      According to the design, "The program has been designed to address needs identified in the Planning Program Evaluation and is intended to advance the County's overall planning program." Commissioners will work in seven areas outlined by the annual program design: Comprehensive Long-Range Planning, Strategic Planning, Land Use Controls, Community Development Services, Continuing Training and Education, Geographic Information Systems and National Flood Insurance Programs.

      "The local planning office has started gathering information for the preparation of a comprehensive long-range plan. Staff will also inform the County of any long-range transportation plans and their progress as presented by the Rural Planning Organization. In addition, Local Planning Assistance Office staff will continue to assist the County and Planning Commission with these activities."

      "Planning Assistance Office staff will continue to advise and assist the Planning Commission and County in making necessary amendments to all local land use controls. This includes identified updates to the County's Subdivision Regulations. Topics under consideration include the protection of the natural factors relative to development within Cocke County.

      The staff will attend planning-related meetings; assist in the interpretation of local land use controls, review and recommend appropriate action regarding subdivision plats, site plans and other development-related proposals; assist the Mayor and County staff in coordinating development decisions with long-range plans; coordinate with regional, stated and federal agencies and address other planning-related issues as requested by the County administration.

      Commissioner completed the required four hours of continuing training and education as per Public Act 862 for 2008. Staff will provide training and education in the areas of: Ridge Top Development, Protection of Source Water, PUDs, Storm Water and Drainage Controls and new legislation.

      Cocke County is currently in the process of having its FEMA maps digitized and reevaluated via Geographic Information System (GIS). Theses digital maps are based on the State of Tennessee Base Mapping Program and will result in a more accurate interpolation of the floodable areas within Cocke County. The updated maps will be complete within this program year. The Local Planning Assistance Office has the ability to create land use models and overlays with GIS digital data for development purposes that can be utilized in the creation of local regulations. During the next program year, theses overlays will be available to Cocke County.

      The planning office will continue to oversee the National Flood Insurance Program in the community while offering map assistance and technical assistance when needed. Most of the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) were more than 10-years old and had become outdated because of physical changes in the flood plains caused by development, erosion and other natural forces. A nationwide map modernization program was started by FEMA to update and digitize the FIRM that will involve roughly 21,000 municipalities and counti8es in the United States over a five-to-seven-year period.

      The map modernization program has begun and the planning assistance office will assist in the following activities: Facilitate in a meeting between FEMA representatives with county and municipal officials in Cocke County to review the preliminary FIRM and present the new model floodplain management ordinance to the planning commission. After this ordinance is adopted, a signed copy will be submitted to FEMA."