Approximately 200 Swain County residents swarmed a public hearing December 10 to express their opposition to the county’s first development regulations. It would have only regulated road widths and grades. It was reactionary, in response to troubles fire trucks had maneuvering on narrow, winding mountain roads. All the neighboring counties had started doing it long ago. Not a single person spoke in favor of the proposed regulations.
According to the Smoky Mountain News, Larry DeHart, a real estate broker and surveyor, reportedly maked the following remarks:
“I don’t want somebody who don’t know what they’re talking about putting ordinances on me that aren’t enforceable.”
“You’ve seen in Jackson County where they can dictate the color of houses. That’s not acceptable. If I have bad taste, that’s none of your business.”
“I very much believe that I can manage my own property and do it well if I want to give it to my children and grandchildren.”
