Cook's new lawsuit revolves around the county's proposed new road standards. Late last year, the county passed new road standard that requires any residential development of 10 lots or more to be located on a road of at least 20' wide measured from inside white line to inside white line. At the same time, the commission passed a moratorium on any new residential developments of more than 10 lots on a substandard road until the county planning commission put the final touches on the new road standards.

The new 20' road standard came directly from citizens of Loudon County who don't want to see high density development on roads unable to handle additional traffic and life safety issues that come with additional traffic.

Cook bought a 10 acre parcel of land on Cusick Circle back in July 2024 for $477,500.00. Cook wants to build 13 homes on that parcel. New county road standards would only permit 9 homes on that parcel. So, Mr. Cook is suing the county because he wants to build 4 additional houses on the property. Apparently, for Cook, it's all about the money. No one on Cusick Circle wants Mr. Cook building in their neighborhood.

John Cook is the perfect example of a typical developer. Could care less about the community they want to impact as long as they make the most money possible. I suspect Mr. Cook will find himself in the same place as he did in the last lawsuit, losing. Unfortunately, he will probably cost Loudon County tax payers tens of thousands of dollars in the process. 

Loudon County commission will defend our zoning policies to the end.

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