The East Ridge City Council passed on second reading an ordinance that addresses new building standards in the city, Thursday, April 13, at its regularly scheduled meeting.
The new architectural design standards regulate materials, construction design and to a limited degree aesthetics of new construction in East Ridge, officials said. Kenny Custer, the city’s Chief Building Official had previously said it is his belief that the new rules will not be a hindrance to new development and is not “over-reaching.” He said that several new developments have been completed in the city prior to the adoption of the new standards and those projects exceeded the standards which have been proposed.
On first reading, the council amended Ordinance 1030 that deals with refuse and trash disposal.
The council voted on first reading to rezone a parcel at 1506 Prigmore from Commercial 2 (C2) to Residential. Mayor Brent Lambert said that during the 1980s several areas were rezoned improperly en mass. The rezoning before the council was to ease the way for the owner to sell the property.
The council adopted a resolution to clarify its Facade Improvement Grant program. Officials said that in the two years it has been in existence, only one property owner has taken advantage of the grant.
The city will hold a second public forum to find out citizens’ needs and desires for recreation in the city. The public forum is scheduled on April 24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Community Center on Tombras Avenue.
The council voted to move forward in participating in five grants. The 2017 TDOT transportation alternatives grant will put a sidewalk on the north side and a 10-foot multi-modal path on the south side of Ringgold Road from Moore Road to Tombras Avenue. The walkway and path will continue from Tombras to Belvoir Avenue thanks to the TDOT 2015 multi-modal access grant.
A Homeland Security grant from Hamilton County will provide $20,000 to the fire department and $10,000 to the police department to purchase inter-operable communications equipment. The extension of a contract with TDOT will update all intersections along Ringgold Road to make them ADA compliant.
The city approved a request to aid in this year’s River Rescue event. The city will help longtime coordinator Larry Clark by providing collecting and hauling equipment for the refuse the volunteers pluck from area waterways. In addition, the city will provide safety officers for the event. The Tennessee River Rescue is scheduled for Oct. 7, 2017.
Police Chief J.R. Reed honored Shirley Huff for her 38 years of service to the city working on school patrol.
