During the Plainview Planning Commission Meeting on October 13, 2026, Jordan Rockwell, Plainview City Planner, explained the Tennessee Land Trust Program. Agricultural land is eligible to be placed in the Trust. The act passed in 2025, but the Trust Board has spent approximately a year setting rules and guidelines in place. The legislature set aside $25M for the Trust. Land placed in the trust can be farmed and inhabited as any other agricultural property. But the land cannot be developed for commercial use except for farm related commerce. A house and farm structures can be erected, but additional dwellings are restricted. The land is still owned and can be sold but the conservation easement with the restrictions continue usually forever. However the status can be changed through eminent domain or by a judge decreeing that it is no longer feasible to enforce the easement. The Transaction Assistance Fund assists with attorney fees, survey fees, appraisals, and stewardship donations for the enforcement of the conservation agreements. For more information, contact Emily Parish at (615) 244-5263 or eparish@landtrusttn.org.

Zoning Officer Stewart Skeen reported that he wrote two permits for homes in Plainview and has another two more in process. He also fielded several phone calls.

At the close of the Planning Commission, Mayor Lynn Beeler conducted a public hearing regarding M1 Zoning Ordinance 171 for an industrial zone. No one spoke at the hearing.

During the Mayor and Board of Aldermen Meeting, extensive discussion of Flock cameras occurred with pros and cons being given. Vice Mayor Richard Phillips stated that the contract for the current two cameras was not available, but he was actively trying to determine if a contract had been signed. He explained that someone needed to oversee the training for use of the cameras, the policy restrictions for use, and the access agreements with other police departments. He moved to have the Mayor and Vice Mayor assume this role. Marilyn Toppins provided a second. Sergeant Johnny Collins commented that the two cameras in Plainview are license plate readers only and only take pictures of a license plate and part of the car around the plate. The pictures are only to be accessed by Chief Jerry Lawson and himself and only for an official investigation of a crime in process or one having been committed. Agreements for access to the information are usually made with police in the county and surrounding counties by authorized sheriffs, police chiefs, or designated officers. One camera is currently unavailable. The cameras have been used to solve at least four crimes from 2024 to 2026 at a cost of about $6000 per year. Alderman Rebecca Lock pointed out that the cameras had been misused in other districts in Tennessee and in other states. She also noted several lawsuits and maintained that Flock was not a reputable company. According to Sergeant Collins, an officer must complete a form with reasons in order to access the data. No unauthorized use has been detected at Plainview. At the end of the discussion, the motion by Vice Mayor Phillips regarding oversight of the use and access was approved.

Mayor Lynn Beeler reminded citizens that he nor any alderman can call the police for an incident that they do not witness. If a citizen is experiencing a crime or believes there to be a crime in progress, the citizen must call 911.

Sergeant Collins gave the police report. He noted 44 calls. He also related that the yellow motorcycle causing a lot of the noise seems to have quieted recently, and he cited the dirt bike for being on a public road.

The Mayor and Board of Aldermen approved the M1 Zoning Ordinance on second reading. The zoning official reported on building permits issued, The fire chief did not attend the meeting.

The next Plainview Meetings will be on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, with Planning Commission at 6:30 and the MBA at 7:00.