Lookout Mountain, Tn., police cars are no longer all white
photo by Gail Perry
The ordinance regarding Vacation Rentals by Owner that was passed by the Lookout Mountain Tn. Commission last year restricted short term rentals to the commercial district. It was found that clarification of language in the ordinance was needed. At the February meeting of the Planning Commission, which makes land use recommendations for the town, the ordinance was amended by removing the language that Judge Flossie Weill had objections to.
Town Attorney Brian Smith informed the commissioners of the changes at the Tuesday night meeting. Permitted uses in the revised ordinance will allow residential use, mixed use and short term vacation rentals in the commercial district. The amended ordinance was passed unanimously. A second vote will be required before the law becomes final.
Prior to the vote, a resident who recently bought a small house adjacent to her property for the purpose of using it for short term rentals, asked the commission to reconsider the ban in residential neighborhoods and requested a community meeting. Commissioner of Fire and Police Jim Bentley responded that last year when it was discussed multiple times at commission meetings, the room was full of community members and 97 percent of the people were totally opposed to it. He said a house that is being rented just over the state line is an on-going problem with large parties every weekend.
Mayor Walker Jones said that soon realtors will be required to disclose to home buyers where rentals are located. He said that strangers rotating through a nearby house would likely deter families with children from buying. He said the tax money the town would receive would not be worth the anxiety caused to residents. “With all due respect,” said Commissioner Bentley, “We’re not going to open it back up. We have gone over it for the past two years.”
Police and fire statistics for the month of January showed that police had 241 calls and patrolled 4,831 miles. There were 32 calls to 911, five calls to assist citizens, and 16 burglar alarms, all false. During the month police made 95 traffic stops, gave 23 parking citations and responded to two auto accidents with no injuries. Checks were made for 22 suspicious persons, vehicles or activity. One theft from a vehicle occurred and three arrests were made - two were domestic and one for a traffic violation. There were a total of 12 medical calls - seven in Tennessee and five in Lookout Mountain, Ga. In January there was one false fire alarm.
Chief Chuck Wells told the commissioners that a change was made to the mutual aid agreement that the town has with Lookout Mountain, Ga. Dispatchers from Georgia had begun dialing Lookout Mountain, Tn. directly before calling Georgia. The new policy requires dispatchers in Walker County to first notify Lookout Mountain Ga. and they must respond along with the EMTS from Tennessee.
Credit was given to Lt. Carey Taylor for having the police SUVs repainted to match a new one that was recently purchased. The formerly all white cars are now black with a white center panel and a silhouette of the mountain on the doors.
Commissioner Bentley would like to remind everyone driving or walking in the fog to be vigilant. He said it is important for cars to turn on lights, and for walkers and runners to increase their visibility by not wearing white.
The biggest fund raising event for Lookout Mountain Elementary will be held on March 1 at the Fairyland Club beginning at 6:30 p.m., said Don Stinnett, commissioner of schools. Grandparents Day will be held at 1 p.m. that same day. The PTA has been instrumental in remodeling the playground and the gym. The group is now ready to begin renovations to the auditorium, and will be selling memorial plaques for $250 to raise money that will be needed for the project.
Brooke Pippenger, commissioner of parks and playgrounds, said that basketball season is going well. The season will end the first week in March. Baseball and softball sign-ups started Feb. 1 and are on-going. The field will be top dressed in March to provide a healthier surface for grass. She said that the town is aware of drainage problems at the Commons and that they will be addressed and taken care of by the first of April when heavy use of the park begins.
The public works department has prepared for bad weather according to the forecasts, but so far it has failed to materialize, said Commissioner of Public Works Frank Schriner. Salt was spread during the last threat by TDOT. Leaf season is virtually over, he said, but they will still be picked up. Brush season will be starting with warmer weather. On Feb. 1 a bid for paving was issued. Repaving four or five sections is planned this year. The bids are due March 1. Paving is expected to begin in April or May.
Samantha Van Alstyne, assistant treasurer, gave the financial report. During January, she said $175,000 in property taxes was received. Taxes are due Feb. 28 and will be delinquent on March 1 with a 1-1/2 percent late fee per month. Revenue from parking meters was lower than normal, she said, because of the National Park closures, work being done on the Incline and bad weather. She said $3,800 was received from the sale of an old police car and the money bought Tasers for the department. Past Mayor Greg Brown made a generous donation of $1,500 for tree work at Natural Bridge Park. Also, $1,400 from the fire fund was used to purchase new equipment and a grant of $2,500 was spent to buy flashlights. The budget for the fire and police department was high in January because officers were sent to the police academy for training. Money in various bank accounts has been shifted to different banks to take advantage of higher interest rates.
Mayor Jones said that city hall will get a new roof by mid-March. Bids for landscaping several areas that have drainage problems will be addressed, he said, in an attempt to prevent mud and ice.
The next meeting of the Lookout Mountain, Tn. Commission will be March 12 at 5 p.m.