Pratt Homebuilders has recently completed the renovation of a building on Dayton Boulevard to use for company headquarters. Two vacant buildings at 1724 and 1730 Dayton Blvd. that adjoin the new office have also been bought by James Pratt.
This property is located at a busy portion of Dayton Boulevard where three lanes merge with a turn lane in the middle. It is near the location where a new exit from Highway 27 will empty traffic onto the road.
The buildings also have limited parking, Mr.
Pratt said at the Red Bank Commission meeting Tuesday night. He came before the commission to request a zoning change from C1 Commercial Zone to L1 Light Manufacturing for the property.
Consultants have recommended placing a climate-controlled self-storage facility there. That is seen as the best use for the property since an average of only six to eight people are estimated to come and go daily from that type of business.
The location would not work for normal walk-in retail, Mr. Pratt told the commissioners. Frances Street, an unused alley, runs between the two buildings on the property. It goes nowhere, he said, because it dead ends into a railroad track.
Pratt Homebuilders asked the city to abandon the right-of-way along Frances street where it crosses their property so it can be used for development. Plans are to convert the existing buildings into storage units and eventually to add more buildings.
On first reading the rezoning change and abandonment of the alley were both granted.
Procurement of equipment that is needed by employees to do their jobs was written into the 2014-2015 budget. City Manager Randall Smith made a request Tuesday night for the commissioners to approve the public debt for funding the equipment acquisition in the amount of $261,934. A vote also appropriated the money into the budget.
Authorization to contract with Stone Mountain Volkswagen in the amount of $51,900 was also given for the purchase of two fuel efficient Passats for the Police Department. These will replace gas guzzling Dodges that the city now has in use, said Mayor Roberts. These vehicles will be outfitted with police equipment for an additional $12,552.
Permission was also given for two construction projects. The replacement of a bay floor at fire hall number two will be done by Yerby Concrete for $17,030. This floor has been cracking under the weight of the fire trucks that weigh as much as 30 tons. A building project will also take place at city hall where renovations will be made to create more space for the judicial department. The cost of this work will be placed into the budget.
On second and final reading, the commission amended the city code to allow the sale of beer at special events and certain venues. A special events beer permit will be required from the city beer board.
Police Chief Tim Christol received authorization to dispose of surplus property consisting of 44 weapons that the department has been awarded by the court. The guns can be sold to a licensed arms dealer with the proceeds going to law enforcement.
Commissioners gave consent to participate in the Tennessee Municipal League risk Management Pool “Driver Safety” matching grant program. The $2,500 received from the grant will be shared by the police, fire and public works departments for safety equipment.
The mayor reported that Red Bank has had an increase of $16,515 in sales taxes during the first two months of the new fiscal year above the amount received during the same time the previous year. This reflects the impact of the addition of new local businesses in the city, he said.
Mayor Roberts also told interested citizens that the new zoning plan for the entire city that has been in progress is now in a draft form. Barry Bennett, former Regional Planning Agency director and former executive director of the Home Builders Association, was hired to help update the current zoning ordinances that were created in the 1970’s and described as antiquated.
Once it is completed in September, there will be a public hearing associated with the process, said the city manager.