East Ridge Continuing Sign Moratorium Until New Ordinance Is In Place

  • Friday, November 13, 2015
  • Gail Perry

Discussion about a new sign ordinance in East Ridge is on-going. A motion to table a vote until the next city council meeting was approved to give council members more time to consider the changes. A moratorium was put in place on billboards and LED signs at an earlier meeting to stop pending cases until a revised ordinance is in place. Until that time, when an application for a sign is made, the applicant will be given a copy of the moratorium along with the old ordinance.

 

Fire Marshall Kenny Custer said that issues about signs continue because so many different ordinances and resolutions have been made over the years that are conflicting. There is an inability to apply them all, he said. He asked the council adopt conditions in the new sign ordinance at one time and scrap all those made prior so that there will be just one document going forward. He also advised to have all billboard and off-premise signs be “on review.” This would require individual approval from code enforcement as well as the council.

 

A unanimous vote approved funding for an Interlocal agreement with other municipalities in Hamilton County, for the services of a government relations professional. County Mayor Jim Coppinger has proposed for Hamilton County to get a portion of the state sales tax that traditionally has been divided among only the cities. Mayor Brent Lambert said that East Ridge has the potential of losing between $500,000 and $1 million. “It’s hard to absorb that kind of blow,” he said and it would cause the city to either cut services or increase property taxes to replace it. The vote approved a maximum payment of $20,000 to fund the position.

 

In a vote of three for and two opposed, the city attorney was given a pay increase. Three years ago when he accepted the position with no contract and no severance, the salary was $90,000. The amount of legal work required by East Ridge is voluminous, said Mayor Brent Lambert, and more than people ever expect. Vice Mayor Marc Gravitt said the job has also needed the expertise of other employees at Chambliss Bahner when experts in various fields are needed. He said that along with Hal North comes a 65 member law firm without additional charges. Mr. North asked for and received a 10 percent increase of $1,000 per month for a yearly amount of $132,000.

 

An ordinance was changed to allow beer sales within 250 feet of any residence. The distance from churches and schools remains unchanged at 250 feet. Measurements are taken from the nearest point of the building where it is sold, to the property line of a residence.

 

Authorization was given for the mayor to apply for a community development block grant from the state in the amount of $525,000. If received it would help with sewer system improvements for Camp Jordan. The application is on behalf of the WWTA because it cannot apply. The county is responsible for $300,000 of the project with WWTA paying the balance. East Ridge has no responsibility for the cost.

 

Director of Parks and Recreation Stump Martin told the council that during the winter, updates will be made to the restrooms in the park. Metal pipes that are rusted will be replaced with plastic and new blue metal roofs are being added. The buildings are being painted in an attempt to make everything in the park look uniform.

 

Property in the 5300 block of Roosevelt Road was rezoned from RT-1 residential townhouse district to RZ-1 zero lot line residential district. The original zoning would accommodate 29 townhomes. The developers of the property will now be able to build 20 single family cottage type homes instead.

 

Councilman Denny Manning made a request to provide city identification cards to retired police officers.

 

He said they were not asking for gun permits to go along with the IDs. Police Chief J.R. Reed said these photo IDs with a city seal would be only for officers that have retired in good standing. Interim City Manager and Fire Chief Mike Williams had the list of names and told the council that some had been given the choice of retiring or being fired and would not be eligible. A couple of them do not need to have anything with East Ridge on it, he said.

 

Vice Mayor Gravitt suggested issuing cards that just say they retired from East Ridge. If the card says anything about police or law enforcement the city may have liability issues.

 

Attorney North asked if they just want a “get out of jail free” card. He told the council that he wanted to talk to the Tennessee Municipal League before any IDs were issued.

 

The city has $50,000 available for grants to local business owners for improving the exterior of their buildings. To date only one application has been made to receive the money. The grants are available only to the property owner and require a 50/50 match. One local resident suggested opening the grants up to businesses that have been in the city a long time but rent space. Now, an individual business in a strip mall must ask the owner of the property to come to city hall and fill out the paperwork. Councilman Larry Sewell wondered how many people even know the grants are available.

 

Mayor Lambert announced that the East Ridge Christmas Extravaganza, consisting of the parade at 6:30 p.m., a concert and Christmas Nights of Lights, will be held Nov. 21.

 

An informational meeting about East Ridge and the border region retail development district designation will take place Nov. 19 at 6:15 p.m. Mark Mamantov will make a power point presentation. It will be an open meeting and the public is invited and will be able to ask questions.

 

Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 3/28/2024

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: ADERHOLT, FELICIA DAWN 1110 ST CLAIR ST DUNLAP, 37327 Age at Arrest: 37 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous ... more

Signal Mountain Must Determine How To Use Remainder Of ARPA Funds
  • 3/27/2024

The town of Signal Mountain has $358,637 remaining from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds it received and there must be a plan in place by the end of the year for how the money will be ... more

Chattanooga Man Gets 21-Year Sentence For Fentanyl Death Of 19-Year-Old
Chattanooga Man Gets 21-Year Sentence For Fentanyl Death Of 19-Year-Old
  • 3/27/2024

A 25-year-old Chattanooga man, was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison for supplying drugs that led to the death of 19-year-old Charlotte Gallant. Jonathan Bash appeared before Judge Curtis ... more