Codes department requests new name
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Codes director Jim Brock felt the enforcement part of the name could generate a negative feeling.
“Most cities are getting away from the name ‘enforcement’ because it has a negative connotation to it,” Brock said to the Building and Grounds Committee. “You get on all the cities’ Web sites such as Cookeville and Lebanon and you see they are changing their names to Planning and Zoning or something close and it makes more sense.”
Committee member Patti Nunley agreed and added that a name such as Planning and Zoning would be more helpful to people.
“I think that if you are wanting something that helps direct people to where they are going, Planning and Zoning is going to do it for them,” Nunley said.
Even though the department will carry the new name, Brock assures business will still go on as normal.
“You won’t notice a thing except a change in name,” Brock said. “There will be the same job description. All we will do is take the ordinance that created this department and change the title.”
The new ordinance will be sent up to the city council for its first reading in two weeks. It will have to go through two readings before it will go into effect.
The department is responsible for building, residential, gas, mechanical, and plumbing codes. The department also houses and handles all of the work with the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning and Appeals, Historic Zoning Commission, mapping for the city, property maintenance and subdivision regulations.
The hours of operation are Monday through Friday 7 a.m. through 3:30 p.m.