Soddy Daisy Continuing To Clean Up Old Spot Zoning Cases

  • Friday, April 20, 2018
  • Gail Perry

The Soddy Daisy Commission is continuing to do "housekeeping" regarding spot zoning that has been discovered in the city. At the commission meeting Thursday night, a public hearing and first reading of an ordinance took place to change five tracts of land on East Highwater Road, four tracts on Baptist View Drive and one on Old Dayton Pike from C-2 Local Business District to R-1 Single Family Residential.

All of this property is in a residential subdivision, yet for unknown reasons, lots on these streets had a commercial zoning designation, said City Manager Janice Cagle. With no citizens speaking for or against the change, the vote was unanimous that all those tracts would become R-1.

At the April 5 commission meeting, inconsistent zoning in other parts of town were addressed. There had long been TCM, Tourist Court and Motel Districts in two different locations along Clift Road, and others on Dayton Pike, Eustice Road and on Hixson Pike. It was speculated that the zoning was a carryover from time before interstates when tourist courts were built along the highways, but which now are now in the middle of commercial or residential zones. With the second reading and final votes on Thursday night, all of these were taken back to the zoning that now surrounds them.

The commissioners also voted to abandon a small portion of the city’s right-of-way on the south side of Sequoyah Road that is parallel to 312 Weathersby Road. A lot on the corner of the street that enters the high school had no road frontage which was needed before the owner of the property would be allowed to build a house.

A final vote also approved updating the city’s building, mechanical, plumbing, gas and electrical codes. City Attorney Sam Elliott said it is required that these codes are updated periodically to make sure that they are within seven years of the most current codes.

Pioneer Days is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. There will be vendors and demonstrations of traditional activities such as blacksmithing, quilting and cooking in the fireplace at Poe’s Tavern. City officials are hoping to attract a lot of people to the event.

City Manager Cagle received approval from the commissioners to surplus equipment that has accumulated in the city’s impound lot, some with no value, such as old vehicles, bicycles and a go cart that will be subject to scrap. Others including a Ford Escape and a tractor used by the public works department will be put on gov.deals to sell.

At a condemnation hearing held earlier, Joy Hickman, the owner of a mobile home in bad condition, was given time to tear it down and remove the surrounding debris. She reported to the city manager that all the needed work has been done with the exception of leveling the dirt.

Commissioner Gene Shipley asked for a cross walk to be clearly marked across Durham Street, leading to the girls' softball fields. With softball season beginning he is concerned for the safety of the many people who will be crossing that road. The original idea of adding flashing lights cannot be done because there is no electrical service in that location. As an alternative, he asked for a painted cross walk and a sign that reads "Stop for Pedestrians."

Mayor Robert Cothran announced that this year’s ceremony for the Wall of Honor at Veterans Park will add 44 people to the wall. It will include three Union soldiers from the Civil War. Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond and Congressman Chuck Fleischmann will be the speakers.

Applications for vendors at the Soddy Daisy Fourth of July celebration will be available on the city’s website in the next several days, said the mayor. This year a vehicle will be given away and the mayor expects the fireworks display to be bigger than before.

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