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The Blount County Commission voted unanimously to approve two zoning amendments Thursday that will allow construction of a high-density, multifamily residential complex on William Blount Drive.

The proposals passed unanimously after a couple of last-minute amendments to ensure the changes were confined within the urban growth boundaries of the cities.

Commissioner Steve Hargis asked that the changes be confined "to land served by city sewer."

"That pretty much ties it down," he said.

The move increases the maximum building height in both the Suburbanizing District and Commercial District designations to 50 feet at the ridgeline for multifamily housing.

It also allows high-density multifamily residential developments to be built fronting William Blount Drive.

In other business, the commission voted to establish a five-member Growth Management Advisory Committee.

"It is an advisory committee of citizens," Commissioner David Graham said. "They are going to look at a purchase-of-development-rights program."

The committee is one of two recommended in the Hunter Interests Growth Study.

Billy Minser, speaking on behalf of the Foothills Lands Conservancy, told commissioners that the purchase of development rights can help farmers if done correctly.

"The land has a value to them," he said. "The cash value of the farm is what they are depending on for their retirement or to leave to their kids."

Kathleen Skinner of the Raven Society asked the commissioners to consider other aspects of the Hunter Growth Study.

"A key smart-growth standard is to promote residential density within the urban growth boundaries," she said.

The commission sent a proposal to establish an Intergovernmental Commission on Smart Growth back to the Intergovernmental Committee with a recommendation that County Mayor Jerry Cunningham ask that the cities of Alcoa and Maryville participate as well.