Greeneville

Greeneville Airport Overlay District: Final Vote and Public Hearing Set for Nov. 17 After 3-1 First Reading

The Greeneville City Council approved an Airport Overlay District around Greeneville Municipal Airport 3-1 on first reading. A public hearing and final vote are set for Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. The overlay adds height and land-use rules in mapped areas of Greeneville and unincorporated Greene County, while

Tracy King

30 Oct 2026 • 5 min read

Illustrative stock photo, not the specific property or development discussed.

Greeneville is one vote away from new land-use and height rules around Greeneville Municipal Airport. The City Council approved an Airport Overlay District on first reading Oct. 20 by a 3-1 vote. The second and final reading, with a public hearing, is set for Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m.

The overlay covers mapped areas in Greeneville and parts of unincorporated Greene County. If you own land near the runway ends, this is the meeting to know about.

What the overlay would do

The town's public notice says the ordinance would add Article XXI to the Zoning Ordinance, adopt an Airport Overlay District Map, and repeal and replace Ordinance No. 962, the existing airport zoning ordinance.

Item	Detail
Area covered	Mapped areas in Greeneville and parts of unincorporated Greene County
Runway zones	A Runway Approach Compatibility Area at each runway end: cone-shaped, 10,000 feet long, 500 feet wide at the start and widening to 3,500 feet
Height rules	Airspace protections for building and tree heights and other conditions that could interfere with safe airport operations
Underlying zoning	Unchanged
Existing uses	"Grandfathered," per the development services director
Replaces	Ordinance No. 962 (public notice); described by the Sun as a 1967 ordinance
Prior approvals	Planning Commission, July 14; TDOT Aeronautics Division, Oct. 6
First reading	Approved 3-1 on Oct. 20

Why the town says it needs this

Development services director Andy Broyles told the council, "The intent of this is not to limit rights of property owners. The intent is to protect airport safety, safety of the public, and protect the airport." The Greeneville Sun reported examples including protecting residents from noise and aviation hazards and blocking structures that would interfere with aircraft approach.

Broyles said an overlay district was a key part of the town's 20-year comprehensive plan from 2017. The Sun also reported that in the 1980s TDOT identified the need for all smaller airports to have overlay districts to comply with Federal Aviation Administration guidelines.

What it replaces

The Greeneville Sun reported that the ordinance would repeal one adopted in 1967, which Broyles called a minimal, outdated "emergency measure" that was never changed. The town's notice identifies the ordinance being replaced as Ordinance No. 962. Both are printed here as each source states them.

How the first vote went

The discussion was long. The Sun reported the council spent almost an hour on it and voted after 44 minutes of consideration. WGRV described nearly 45 minutes of back-and-forth.

Council member Matt Hensley moved to approve, calling the step proactive. The motion did not get an immediate second, and members discussed whether grant funding could be at risk without the overlay. Council member Tim Teague moved to table it and said he wanted it in writing whether funding was at risk. "I don't feel comfortable with telling somebody what they're going to do with their property," Teague said. WGRV reported Flint Carter eventually seconded Hensley's motion, and it passed 3-1 with Teague voting no.

The Sun reported that affected property owners will be notified of the final reading date.

Why grant money came up

Part of the debate was about money. Council members discussed whether grant funding could be in jeopardy if the overlay is not approved, and Teague asked for that answer in writing before voting. The final reading is the point where that question could come back. If you plan to speak, it is fair to ask the town to state on the record what the overlay means for airport grants.

Also approved at the Oct. 20 meeting

The same meeting covered several spending items that touch Greeneville parks, water and town buildings:

Hardin Park: $99,947 in new playground equipment, paid with grant funds, to be placed at the Kiwanis Pavilion.
Water system: Approval to apply for and run a USDA grant of up to $2 million with no local match. The water superintendent said the money would cover the local match on FEMA grants tied to Hurricane Helene recovery.
Roby Fitzgerald Adult Center: $40,195 to replace or repair exterior guttering and $18,211 for interior water-damage repair, both from the town's fund balance.

Questions to ask before Nov. 17

Is my parcel wholly or partly inside the mapped zones?
What height limit applies at my spot, and does it cover trees as well as buildings?
What counts as an existing use, and what happens if I expand or rebuild?
Who reviews a new building permit inside the overlay?

The map and regulations posted by the town are the place to start. Development Services can answer parcel-level questions.

Dates and how to speak

Tue., Nov. 17, 2026, 4 p.m. — Public hearing and second reading, G. Thomas Love Boardroom, Greeneville Energy Authority Building, 110 North College Street.
Before the hearing — The ordinance, regulations and map are posted at greenevilletn.gov and at Development Services, Greeneville Town Hall, 200 North College Street, during business hours.
To speak — Call Town Hall at 423-639-7105 at least 24 hours before the meeting, or sign in at the meeting before it starts. Comments are generally limited to three minutes.

What it means for Greene County property owners

If you own land near the runway

The notice says properties wholly or partly inside the mapped areas would be subject to the overlay rules. Underlying zoning would not change, and existing uses would be grandfathered. New buildings, additions and tall trees inside the zones are where the rules would apply. Pull up the map before you plan a build or list land.

If you plan to sell

Buyers and their lenders often ask about height limits and airport zones on rural land. If your parcel is in the mapped area, say so up front and keep a copy of the adopted map. Other Greeneville land moves are in Greeneville Moves 82 Acres to Industrial, Sets Annexation Hearing, and the state's regional housing review is in Sullivan, Carter, Unicoi and Greene Counties Picked for State-Funded Housing Market Studies.

Thinking of selling in Greeneville or the Tri-Cities?

Read Living in Greeneville, TN: Greene County's Hidden Value (2026 Guide), How to Sell Your Home in the Tri-Cities, TN for Top Dollar in 2026 and How fast do homes sell in Johnson City?.

Get a free home valuation, or request a cash offer if you want a fast, certain sale.

When is the Greeneville Airport Overlay District public hearing?

Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, at 4 p.m. in the G. Thomas Love Boardroom at the Greeneville Energy Authority Building, 110 North College Street.

Does the airport overlay change my zoning?

No. The town notice says existing underlying zoning classifications would remain unchanged. Properties in the mapped areas would also be subject to overlay requirements.

How big are the runway zones?

The Greeneville Sun reported cone-shaped areas at each runway end extending 10,000 feet, starting 500 feet wide and expanding to 3,500 feet.

Does the overlay include land outside the town limits?

Yes. The notice says the district includes mapped areas within Greeneville and portions of unincorporated Greene County.

Contact Town Hall at 423-639-7105 at least 24 hours before the meeting or use the sign-in sheet before the meeting begins. Comments are generally limited to three minutes per person.

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