New Podcast Episode, Lookouts Stadium Vote, and More
GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS
I recently released an interview with East Ridge Mayor Brain Williams and City Manager Scott Miller, providing a brief civic overview of the city of East Ridge. Search for “Chattanooga Civics” on your favorite podcast app to listen.
On February 6 the city council will vote on the approval of an additional $36M in debt obligations to fund the new Lookouts Stadium. $80M has already been approved.
On February 6 the city council will be voting on two Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) programs related to the creation of 50 affordable housing units.
JANUARY 30 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
The Work Session on Zoning Ordinance Updates recording can be found here.
The council discussed proposed changes to the zoning code.
The goals of the proposed changes are to expand housing choices, support urban development, support transit, remove outdated language, simplify the code, and reduce the need for variances and conditions.
The current proposal is to update the zoning for every parcel through “equivalency mapping”, changing each property from the old zoning regulations to the closest matching new zone. Further changes will be implemented later as a result of the area planning process.
The council is still reviewing the proposed changes and does not have a date scheduled at this time. You can review the proposed zoning code here and direct questions to zcu@chattanooga.gov.
The Agenda Session recording can be found here.
The council heard a presentation regarding updates to the South Broad Tax Increment Financing Plan (TIF).The Kelly administration and development team explained increased costs, an updated development agreement, and new revenue sharing structures in detail.
The Business Session recording can be found here.
The council approved amendments to the fees for city facility rentals (final reading).
The council approved a request to rezone 2804, 2806, and 2810 South Hickory St and 1700 E 28th St from R-1 to O-1 (final reading).
The council approved an amendment to the city electrical and gas inspection codes (first reading).
The council denied a request to rezone 5116, 5120, and 5134 Highway 58 from C-5 to C-2 (first reading).
The council approved a number of lease agreements, grants, and donations.
The council approved one Public Works contract.
The council approved 4 routine purchases, including a ~$4M purchase of fire trucks from Spartan Emergency Response.
The council was notified of one emergency purchase, ~$36k in garbage truck rental fees while city owned trucks undergo maintenance.
One citizen addressed the council, asking the council to consider splitting Chattanooga into its own school system separate from Hamilton County. You can watch the full comments here.
The meeting minutes have not yet been posted.
JANUARY 30 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.
The council will vote on an amendment to the city electrical and gas inspection codes (final reading).
The council will vote on the approval of an additional $36M in debt obligations to fund the new Lookouts Stadium. $80M has already been approved.
The council will vote on 4 economic development resolutions to provide ~$1.7M in grant funding and to approve two PILOT programs for the creation of 50 new affordable housing units.
The council will vote to authorize Johnston & Associates to act on the city's behalf for directing care for injury on duty claims.
The council will vote on the appointment of Javais Majid as Chief Financial Officer.
The council will vote on the appointment of Sandra Koss to the Air Pollution Control Board.
#FEBRUARY 6 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.
The council will vote on an amendment to the city code, dissolving the Board of Sign Appeals and moving its duties to the Board of Zoning Appeals (first reading).
The council will vote on a number of rezoning requests (first reading).
The council will vote on an amendment to the city code governing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in the Form Based Code area (first reading).
The council will vote on an amendment to speed limits on Gray Road (35mph to 30mph), Walker Road (35mph to 30mph), and Holtzclaw Road (40mph to 35mph) (first reading).
The council will vote on the appointments of Robert Grier, Anna Hall, Terri Lee, Paul Darr, Dank Hawkings, Melissa Lozano, Adam Kinsey, Shelby Meek, Angie Reed-Thomas, Stephen Culp, Linda Moss Mines, Erika Roberts, Dreama Campbell, Meghan Ploch, and Lily Barrie to the inaugural Parks and Outdoors Committee.
The council will vote on an increase in the approved services for the Early Head Start Program from 48 to 56 children, and to increase the budget accordingly.
The council will vote on the approval of the sale of 5006 and 5010 Rossville Boulevard to a private trust for $22,000.
The council will vote on the appointment of several Chattanooga Housing Authority Public Safety Officers.
The council will vote on the approval of a ~$13k change order in the Hamilton Place Blvd project.