The East Ridge Planning Commission approved the rezoning of a piece of property from residential to commercial behind the Waverly Motel, Monday, during its regular monthly meeting.

Roshan Patel, the owner of the Waverly, explained to the commission that he wanted the property at 1509 McDonald Road, which he also owns that is directly behind the business, rezoned from R-1 to C-2, General Commercial District.

Patel told the commission that he plans to raze the Waverly and build a small retail center. The property at 1509 McDonald would be incorporated into the new plan.

Planning Commission Chairman Mike Chauncey said during a Tuesday telephone interview that Patel showed the commissioners an artist’s rendering of the development he wanted to build on the Waverly site. Chauncey characterized the building as a “small retail center.” It would include a restaurant and small shops. Chauncey said Patel gave no timetable for demolishing the existing structure or when construction may begin on the new building.

Chauncey noted that both properties fall within the Border Region district. Patel could apply for incentives from the City to offset development costs of the new building.

The rezoning measure will now go before the East Ridge City Council for consideration.

Last May the city’s Codes Department shuttered the Waverly Motel, which had a long history of calls for service by the East Ridge Police Department. An inspection by a codes officer revealed 19 of 20 units in the motel had numerous code violations including including heating and cooling, plumbing, electrical, pest infestation, and unsanitary conditions. The city’s fire marshal said there were only three working smoke detectors in the entire motel. In addition there were issues with fire extinguishers.

Five days later city officials allowed the troubled business to reopen. Officials said that Patel had been “proactive” and had addressed the code violations in all but two of the motel’s units.

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