March 13, 2023

STVR Regulations Fail, Term Limits, and More

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Despite reports to the contrary, the city currently has no plans to close the Walnut Street Bridge..
• On March 7 the city council made no motion on an amended version of new STVR regulations. With no motion the legislation fails and the council will have to go back to the drawing board to write new STVR regulations. The STVR permit moratorium is scheduled to expire in July.
• On March 14 the city council will vote on an amendment changing the time of elections and adding term limits for city council (first reading). If the amendment passes it will go on the next ballot as a referendum. This amendment seeks to align city elections with county elections on the first Tuesday in August. It also seeks to place a limit of 4 terms for city council representatives. You can read the full amendment here..
• On March 14 the city council will vote on an amendment to the C-2 zoning regulations (first reading).The effect of the change would be to allow existing hotels in C-2 areas to convert all rooms to permanent apartments without the need for a zoning change or hearing. You can read the full proposal here.

MARCH 7 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Agenda Session recording can be found here.

The Business Session recording can be found here.

• The council made no motion on an amended version of new STVR regulations. With no motion the legislation fails and the council will have to go back to the drawing board to write new STVR regulations. The STVR permit moratorium is scheduled to expire in July.
• The council voted on a number of rezoning cases.
• The council confirmed the appointments of Jackie Simpson, Jon Jon Wesolowski, Quintin Howard, and Matt Adams to Community Advisory Committees.
• The council approved on the partial forgiveness of wage overpayment to city employees due to bookkeeping discrepancies.
• The council confirmed the appointment of Richard Beeland as Administrator for the Department of Economic Development.
• The council approved 7 routine purchases, including a ~$5.75M purchase of liquid sodium hypochlorite for the wastewater department
• Several citizens addressed the council. You can watch the full comments here.

[The meeting minutes can be found here.](https://chattanooga.gov/city-council/agendasminutes-by-date/9-city-council/3814-minutes-2023

MARCH 14 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will have a public hearing regarding the annexation of 5619 Clark Road at the request of the property owner.
• The council will vote on an amendment changing the time of elections and adding term limits for city council (first reading). If the amendment passes it will go on the next ballot as a referendum. This amendment seeks to align city elections with county elections on the first Tuesday in August. It also seeks to place a limit of 4 terms for city council representatives. You can read the full amendment here.
• The council will vote on an amendment to the C-2 zoning regulations (first reading).The effect of the change would be to allow existing hotels in C-2 areas to convert all rooms to permanent apartments without the need for a zoning change or hearing. You can read the full proposal here.
• The council will vote on a number of rezoning cases, including:
  • a request to rezone 5103 Central Avenue to UGC for the construction of multi-family housing. RPA staff recommended denial, Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions. The case had significant neighborhood opposition at Planning Commission.
  • a request to rezone 1414 East 49th Street to R-2 for the construction of a duplex. RPA staff and Planning Commission both recommended denial.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Linda Kirk, De’Jha Billingsley, and Neda Long to the South Region Community Advisory Committee.
• The council will vote on a resolution “consenting to the execution and delivery by the Industrial Development Board of the City of Chattanooga of certain documents providing for the release of a portion of Debt Service Reserve Account monies of the Industrial Development Board in connection with the Industrial Development Board’s Chattanooga Lease Rental Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2018A (tax-exempt) and Chattanooga Lease Rental Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2018C (taxable); directing the Trustee for such bonds to enter into certain documents in connection therewith and authorizing certain actions related thereto.
• The council will vote on the scope of services related to the annexation of 5619 Clark Road at the request of the property owner.
• The council will vote on two Public Works contracts (see agenda for full details).

MARCH 21 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will have a public hearing regarding the annexation of 5619 Clark Road at the request of the property owner.
• The council will vote on an amendment changing the time of elections and adding term limits for city council (first reading). If the amendment passes it will go on the next ballot as a referendum. This amendment seeks to align city elections with county elections on the first Tuesday in August. It also seeks to place a limit of 4 terms for city council representatives. You can read the full amendment here.
• The council will vote on an amendment to the C-2 zoning regulations (first reading).The effect of the change would be to allow existing hotels in C-2 areas to convert all rooms to permanent apartments without the need for a zoning change or hearing. You can read the full proposal here.
• The council will vote on a number of rezoning cases.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Adam Cowen to the Shallowford Region Community Advisory Committee.
• The council will vote on two grant applications.
• The council will vote on the appointment of Beverly Bell to the Form Based Code Committee.
• The council will vote on a $1.2M contract with Planning Next for new city area plans.