May 8, 2023

STVR Regulations, KORDSA TIF, and More

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS

• On May 9 the city council will 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.
• The city is beginning the FY ‘24 budget education process. A presentation was made to the city council at the May 2 Agenda Session. I will be doing a mid-week supplementary newsletter to explain the budget in detail.

MAY 2 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Agenda Session recording can be found here.

• The council heard a presentation on a proposed Tax Increment Financing program (TIF) for an expansion of the KORDSA nylon manufacturing plant.
  • You can find out more about TIFs here. You can also find a more detailed explanation by listening to episode #43 of the Chattanooga Civics podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
• Vice Chairwoman Hill asked that KORDSA consider donating some land to the city for the construction of affordable housing as part of the terms of the TIF. The KORDSA representative indicated they would consider it.
• The council heard a presentation on the FY ‘24 budget. I will send out a more detailed summary later this week.

The Business Session recording can be found here.

• The council approved the closure of a sewer easement (final reading).
• The council approved the exclusion of 481 Shurlock Road from the Brainerd Road Fire District (first reading).
• The council approved the distribution of American Rescue Plan Funds:
  • ~$10k to the Department of Public Works for security lighting at the John A. Patton Community Center.
  • $15k to Chattanooga Unit for free dental care for veterans.
  • ~$8k to Word Empowerment Church for affordable childcare.
  • $18k to the Chattanooga Public library for library lockers at the Eastdale Community Center.
• The council confirmed the appointment of Nathaniel Doss to the Shallowford Region Community Advisory Committee for District 9.
• The council relinquished the city's partial claim on 7700 Basswood Dr to Hamilton County.
• The council authorized $20k in block grants to the Chattanooga Community Housing Organization for food replacement for low and moderate income individuals.
• The council approved 2 routine purchases, including a $150k purchase of homeless information management software from Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition.
• 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-20230

MAY 9 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote to exclude 481 Shurlock Road from the Brainerd Road Fire District (final reading).
• The council will vote on several rezoning cases (first reading), including:
  • A request to rezone 7707 Lee Highway from C-2 to UGC for the conversion of a hotel into an apartment. This case saw significant opposition at planning commission.
  • A request to rezone 7717 Lee Highway from C-2 to UGC for the conversion of a hotel into an apartment. This case saw significant opposition at planning commission.
  • A request to rezone 1013 South Greenwood Avenue from R-1 to UGC for the construction of a 6 unit apartment.
• The council will vote on new Short Term Vacation Rental (STVR) regulations (first reading). You can read the proposed legislation here.
  • 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 will vote on 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 will vote on the appointment of Samantha Lunn to the Animal Control Board.
• The council will vote to authorize a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program for the Kordsa manufacturing facility.
• The council will vote to accept ~$3.2M in Community Development Block Grants and HOME Investment PArtnership Act funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• The council will vote to apply 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 will vote on the appointment of Doug Pell as a special unarmed police officer for Public Works inspections.

MAY 16 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The Proposed Meeting Agenda can be found here.

• The council will vote on several rezoning cases (final reading).
• 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 Nicole Heyman to the Chattanooga Housing Authority Board.
• 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.