February 20, 2023

STVR Vote Deferred, Hotels to Apartments, and More

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS

• The city council deferred a vote on new STVR regulations until February 21.

• On February 21 the city council will vote on an amendment to C-2 zoning regulations.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.

FEBRUARY 14 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The agenda session recording can be found here.

At last weeks agenda session the council:

• discussed an upcoming proposal to allow existing duplexes in R-1 zones to be reopened without the need for a zoning hearing. This applies to duplexes that have lost their certificate of occupancy due to utility shut-offs, condemnation, or other reasons, but it does not allow single family homes to be converted to duplexes or the construction of new duplexes.
• discussed an upcoming proposal to reduce required parking minimums in C-2 zones. The effect of this proposal would allow hotels to convert to permanent housing without the need for a zoning hearing. Currently hotel rooms cannot be converted to permanent housing on a one-to-one basis because permanent housing requires more parking spaces than hotel rooms.

The business session recording can be found here.

At last week’s business session the city council:

• approved a request to rezone 1622 Bradt Street to R-T/Z (final reading).
• deferred a vote on new STVR regulations to February 21 (first reading).
• approved adjustments to the duties of the Administrative Hearing Officer to include litter and overgrowth violations and violations of STVR regulations (first reading).
• voted on a number of rezoning cases (first reading), including:
  • approved an amended version of a Planned Unit Development at 3525 Garner Road to construct 46 tiny homes for sale. This case saw opposition at Planning Commission.
  • approved a request to rezone 1913 and 1915 Kelly Street to UGC Urban General Commercial for the construction of 26 apartment units.
  • approval of a request to rezone to entire city block bounded by Williams Street, 27th Street, Cowart Street, and 26th Street to UGC Urban General commercial for the construction of a mixed use development including retail, apartments, and single family homes.
  • approved a request to rezone 2341 Jenkins Road to R-T/Z for the construction of 6 townhomes.
  • withdrew a request to rezone 2109 Raulston Street to R-T/Z for the construction of a quadplex.
• approved a new City Investment Policy.
• confirmed the appointments of Leandra Sanderfur, Johan Denyschen, Evann Freeman, Stephen Culp, Arcie Reeves, Corey Evatt, Daniela Peterson, Bill Nye, and Charita Allen to the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority.
• confirmed the appointments of Michael Mallen, Mark Harrison, and Kevin Boehm to the Air Pollution Control Board.
• approved several public works contracts (see agenda for full details).
• approved 4 routine purchases, including a ~$260k contract for city wide branding services.
• Two citizens addressed the council, presenting information on the James Floyd Youth Camp hosted by the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters. You can watch the full comments here.

The meeting minutes can be found here.

FEBRUARY 21 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The proposed meeting agenda can be found here.

The proposed city council agenda for next week includes:

• a vote to adjust the duties of the Administrative Hearing Officer to include litter and overgrowth violations and violations of Short Term Vacation Rental Regulations (final reading).
• votes on a number of rezoning cases (final reading).
• a vote to confirm the appointment of Phillip Noblet as City Attorney.
• a vote to adopt new Rules of Operation for the Chattanooga City Council. You can read the proposed rules here.
• a vote to allow the waiver, release, and termination of reversionary interests and reconveyance rights with Erlanger Hospital.
• votes to confirms the appointments of Alexis Kennedy, Chausie Neal, Christie Morris, Christopher Cooper, Donald Sanderfur, George Ricks, Janice Gooden, Jillian Sanderfur, Kevin Scott, Ma’Cia Rudolph, Micah Chapman, Molly Anderson, Shiloh McCulley, Terryl James, and Tom Hirsch to Community Advisory Committees.
• votes on various Parks and Outdoors, Planning, and Public Works agreements (see agenda for full details).

FEBRUARY 28 CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

The proposed meeting agenda can be found here.

The proposed city council agenda for next week includes:

• votes on a number of rezoning cases.
• a vote on new STVR regulations (first reading). You can read the full proposal here.
• a vote to amend C-2 zoning regulations.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.
• a vote to confirm the appointment of J.T. McDaniel to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
• votes on a number of lease agreements and public works contracts (see agenda for full details).