Soddy Daisy will continue to see steady development and growth in the coming year, officials said. At the commission meeting Thursday night, Mayor Gene Shipley mentioned projects that are on the horizon in 2020.
The city is aware of around 100 new homes that will be built. The final approval was given Thursday night for rezoning property at 312 Sheri Place Lane and a tract of land at 10623 Dayton Pike - both from R-T/Z residential townhouse zero lot line to R-3 apartment-Townhouse district.
The rezoning will allow developer NU Era to build around 60 townhomes on the property. Builder Mark Eller is planning 42 homes in Goose Creek and Mayor Shipley is aware of plans to build another 32 houses in the city limits.
There is excitement in the growth because he said other development will follow such as restaurants and shops that will increase convenience for Soddy Daisy’s residents as well as boosting taxes that the city receives.
Soddy Daisy has started renovations on the old building housing Fire hall #3 along with three more bays that will be added during the construction. Work will be done on the North-End park ball fields, adding a new field and pavilion, and the Vietnam Veterans Wall will be enlarged. A new drive-through restaurant, not yet being identified, is currently being built.
City Manager Janice Cagle updated the commissioners and people present about the highway project along parts of Dayton Pike. The road around Walmart has already been widened, but plans are to resurface both ends of Dayton Pike in the city limits this coming spring. She said the work has all been approved and the next step will be the bid process.
A new playground is ready to be sent out to bid. Building this will not require waiting for spring, said Ms. Cagle. The old playground is being replaced, partly because none of the old equipment is ADA compliant. Public Works Director Steve Grant said that the old playground and equipment will not be removed until the new one is built. It will be in a new location. Money for this playground is coming from a grant and if it is allowed by the conditions in the grant, the city manager would like to shift any money that is left over from the playground, into other projects.
The Soddy Daisy Fire Department included $70,000 in this year’s budget for turn-out gear. With that amount, the best bid will buy 23 sets plus face guards. The price is slightly under budget at approximately $68,245. This is expected to be the last time that the fire department will have to buy these suits in bulk.
A final vote to amend the definition of “pole barn,” was approved. Recently building permits for several pole barns were issued, but the structures ended up being garages with bathrooms, which Ms. Cagle said is not a pole barn.
An amendment to clarify exactly what boat and RV storage is, passed on final reading at the commission meeting. A conditional permit will be needed for these structures that will help the city control where these storage buildings will be allowed.
Upcoming events in the city include the Christmas celebration at Poe’s Tavern this coming Saturday and the Vietnam Veterans dinner on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. Vice Mayor Robert Cothran received approval to also have a car show at Veteran’s Park on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. that will be a benefit for Ricky Neal. Over 100 cars are expected to be shown and there will be food drinks and miscellaneous items up for bid. The Firefighters Association is asking for donations of toys or money for Christmas.
Annabelle Sapp, winner of the Distinguished Young Woman of the Year in June 2019 was Soddy Daisy’s representative in the state competition among 17 others this year from Tennessee. She came to the commission meeting and thanked the city for its support of the contest. She received $500 in scholarship money and gained experience that can be used in life after college, she said.
This was the last commission meeting of the year for the Soddy Daisy Commission. The next meeting will be held on Jan. 16, 2020.