NEWPORT-Before a packed house of concerned citizens, the Cocke County Legislative Body voted Monday night to take in roads that have been the target of much debate.

On a voice vote, eight-tenths of Blessing Way, .64 miles of Applewood Way, .3 miles of Apple Grove Way and .7 miles of Heartland Ridge Way were approved to become part of the county road system.

Blessing Way was first to be considered. Gary Butler, who owns property on the road, addressed the CLB about the situation.

Butler told members he and his family "have a vested interest in Cocke County."

He explained Blessing Way was built in the 1970s. "I was the one E-911 asked to name the road," he said. "When I found out the road could be a right of way to the properties, we rebuilt it."

Butler said there are currently four families living on properties connected to Blessing Way, another home is being built and yet another is on the way. He added, however, that none of the property owners are looking to start a major development.

"I bought more property to serve as a buffer for privacy," he said. "These properties are landlocked other than the road."

Butler added he has talked with the Highway Department and estimates are it will cost about $2,200 a year to maintain the road. "I've been taking care of it the past few years," he said. "And, I'm not rich."

Butler pointed out the amount of taxes paid by property owners connected to Blessing Way would far exceed the cost of maintenance.

Although CLB Chairman Norman Smith expressed concerns about the cost of taking in new roads, members approved accepting the road on voice vote.

Later in the meeting, Lee Willis of the Cocke County Planning Commission voiced concerns about the situation.

"The only difference between the new standards adopted in 2004 and the old standards is the grade goes from 15 to 12 percent and the new standards call for two inches of asphalt," said Willis. "They still require the roads to be 21-feet wide."

Willis said when Butler rebuilt Blessing Way, he did so without coming to the Planning Commission.

"He bypassed all the rules and you gave it to the county taxpayers," said Willis.

He added CLB's action will make it hard for the Planning Commission to ask others to put up bonds to make sure roads are built to specifications.

"We are holding more than $300,000 in letters of credit," said Willis. "What do we tell them? Tell us what to do and we'll try to do a good job."

Several residents were also on hand concerning Applewood Way and Apple Grove Road.

Attorney Patrick Stapleton addressed the CLB and explained a lawsuit has been filed by resident Eugene Eslinger over the road situation. He said, however, the lawsuit would likely be dropped if the roads are brought into the county road system.

Stapleton said the roads were initially in the city's growth plan, which created confusion on approval of the roads.

CLB member Phil Killion said he had looked at the roads and believes they should be brought into the system.

"It's a shame," added CLB member Scott McClure. "They need a road."

Following a motion by Killion and a second by McClure, the roads were approved on voice vote.

Darrell Shults asked the CLB for help on Cedar Ridge Road. He said the road is not in very good shape and is requesting it be shot and chipped.

CLB members, however, pointed out the Highway Department does not have the money to shoot and chip the road at this time.

In other road business, Heartland Ridge Drive was accepted into the road system, a new county road list was approved and a new speed limit of 35 mph was set for Hartford Road.