May 15, 2023

STVR Regulations, KORDSA PILOT, and More

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS

• The Chattanooga Police Department has created a Nightlife Engagement Team to provide more officer visibility during large gatherings.
• On May 16 the city council will have the final vote on new STVR regulations.
  • Absentee (non-owner occupied) STVRs will only be permitted within commercial zones (C-2,C-3, C-4, C-5, UGC, CC, IX, RV, RF, CX, and SH). There will be an 18 month “cool down” between any rezoning and any STVR permit.
  • Homestay (owner occupied) STVRs will only be permitted within the existing STVR overlay area.
  • Application and yearly renewal fees will be $500 for absentee and $250 for homestay STVRs.
  • Permits will be tied to the property address. STVRs can be bought and sold without losing their permit.
  • Each STVR must have a designated agent who is able to be on site within 2 hours.

MAY 9 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Business Session recording can be found here.

• The council approved the exclusion of 481 Shurlock Road from the Brainerd Road Fire District (final reading).
• The council will vote on several rezoning cases (first reading), including:
  • Deferred (until May 16) a request to rezone 2701 Benton Ace from M-1 to R-3.
  • Deferred (until May 16) a request to rezone 1013 South Greenwood Avenue from R-1 to UGC for the construction of a 6 unit apartment.
• The council approved new Short Term Vacation Rental (STVR) regulations (first reading). The legislation must pass a second reading before taking effect.
  • Absentee (non-owner occupied) STVRs will only be permitted within commercial zones (C-2,C-3, C-4, C-5, UGC, CC, IX, RV, RF, CX, and SH). There will be an 18 month “cool down” between any rezoning and any STVR permit.
  • Homestay (owner occupied) STVRs will only be permitted within the existing STVR overlay area.
  • Application and yearly renewal fees will be $500 for absentee and $250 for homestay STVRs.
  • Permits will be tied to the property address. STVRs can be bought and sold without losing their permit.
  • Each STVR must have a designated agent who is able to be on site within 2 hours.
• The council approved the distribution of American Rescue Plan Funds:
  • $15k to the East Brainerd Youth Association for the renovation of facilities.
  • $40k to Hamilton County Parks and Recreation for improvements to Ben Miller Park.
• The council confirmed the appointment of Samantha Lunn to the Animal Control Board.
• The council authorized a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program for the Kordsa manufacturing facility.
• The council approved the acceptance of ~$3.2M in Community Development Block Grants and HOME Investment PArtnership Act funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• The council approved the application for a ~$4.7M grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the completion of phase 3 of the Alton Park Connector project. If awarded the city will match up to $4M.
• The council confirmed the appointment of Doug Pell as a special unarmed police officer for Public Works inspections.
• The council approved 2 routine purchases, including a $125k purchase of truck/trailer accessories and maintenance from Truck ‘N’ Trailer USA.
• The council was notified of one emergency purchase,~$69k in legal title work needed to expedite a wastewater project.
• Several citizens addressed the council. You can watch the full comments here.

The meeting minutes can be found here.

MAY 16 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on several rezoning cases.
• The council will vote on new STVR regulations (final reading).
• The council will vote on two Right Of Way closures (first reading).
• The council will vote on the appointment of Buell Connell to the Police Advisory Review Committee.
• The council will vote on a lease agreement with the Hamilton County Board of Education.
• The council will vote on an agreement with Chattanooga Disc Golf Club, Inc. for disc golf courses within the city.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Anthony Sammons as Chief Equity Officer.
• The council will vote to authorize two grant applications for the Chattanooga Police Department.
• The council will vote to approve a $60k agreement with the Hamilton County for the Courts Community Service Program for litter pick up.
• The council will vote to approve the allocation of ~$1.7M of Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act funds for the purchase of Public Works vehicles.

MAY 23 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on two Right Of Way closures (final reading).
• The council will vote on several rezoning cases (first reading).
• The council will vote on the distribution of American Rescue Plan Funds:
  • ~$12k to the Parks and Outdoors Department for a swing set at Hill City Park Playground.
  • $25k to the Kiwanis Youth Foundation for a playground at Jack BEnson Heritage Park.
  • $15k to Olivet Baptist Church for their Second Chance Recidivism Program.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Tracy Davis to the District 8 Community Advisory Committee.
• The council will vote to authorize a partnership with the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence to apply for a 5-year, $750k grant.
• The council will vote to authorize an application for a $2M Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative grant.
• The council will vote to rename the Triangle Park Pavilion to the Melinda Hickey Memorial Pavilion.
• The council will vote to approve a new liquor store permit at 5450 Highway 153.
• The council will vote to authorize a grant application for a $3M USDOT electric vehicle changing grant.
• The council will vote on several public works contracts (see agenda for details).