Soddy Daisy Commissioners on Thursday night approved rezoning a tract of land at 669 Clift Mill Road for a new development of 31 homes.
Developer George Luttrell requested the change from rural residential and agricultural district to R-1 residential. The change was recommended by the city’s planning commission prior to the commission meeting.
Commissioner Gene Shipley said that Soddy Daisy is lucky to have a developer like Mr. Luttrell who has done other projects in the city.
Mr. Shipley said that good quality homes like the ones built by this developer bring good people to the town. The ordinance for rezoning will require a second reading before becoming final.
In June, the city commissioners accepted an offer to purchase 285 acres of pristine wilderness that is locally known as Big Soddy Creek Gulf. Dr. Stephen Quarfordt and his wife Tiffany decided to sell the land to Soddy Daisy at one third its appraised value in order to protect and keep it pristine. Plans are to make the wilderness area a park to be used for camping, hiking and canoeing.
The commissioners voted unanimously to buy the property for $1,158,000 that will be paid over a period of four years. Officials said $200,000 will come from the general fund. Thursday night authorization was given to issue interest-bearing land acquisition capital outlay notes not to exceed $950,000 to pay the balance. It will be paid back in three years. The best interest rate and no fees came from Community National Bank in Soddy Daisy. Closing of the real estate transaction is expected to take place in about three weeks.
Steve Grant, director of public works, told the commissioners that FEMA has sent new flood maps of the city and wants comments back in 30 days. City Manager Janice Cagle said the last time this was done some areas were included in flood zones that city officials disputed. Once an area is designated it is hard to change it, she said, but with FEMA asking for the city’s input, changes may be possible.
Mr. Grant was given authorization to review the maps with an engineer. If changes are made it could save people in those areas a lot of money from insurance costs, it was said. After examination the map will be returned to the commission, which will send comments to FEMA. Reviews with citizens and public meetings will follow.
A payment of $68,547 was approved to pay for paving of the Northbrook subdivision which has already been completed. Other expenditures authorized were $13,019 to replace an old metal drain pipe at fire hall number one, $9,000 for recording equipment for the police department, and $6,250 for guardrails and the labor to install them along a curve on Green Pond Road.
Ms. Cagle told the commissioners that the Department of the Interior has asked the city for permission to put up 10 sings to mark the Trail of Tears. The board agreed to supply the posts and labor for the project.
Margaret Chastain told the commissioners that the petition to allow a package store in the city limits is lacking a number of signatures. She said that she is willing to take the petition to people for their signatures if she is called.
A reminder was given that the Punkin Fest is just a month away. This is a collaboration between the Vietnam Veterans of America and the city of Soddy Daisy. This year there will be between 40-60 vendors, crafts, food, games, live music, a 5-K run and 1-K walk. Participants and vendors can sign up at www.VVA942.US or by calling city hall. It will take place at Soddy Lake Park on Oct. 4.
Pam Glaser from the Regional Planning Agency asked the commissioners to attend a workshop for community leaders on Aug. 28 for the Hamilton County comprehensive plan. This will be followed by public meetings at 6 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, at 6 p.m. Aug. 26 at the North River Civic Center in Hixson and on Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Tyner Center on Ty-Hi Drive. She encouraged participation in planning for the future growth within the county.