[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6211452,"mediaKeyId","3695715-4e08c90634a078ab1bc1228b4cb55aa5","parentId",3695715,"title","Commission approves first reading of downtown zoning and parking text amendment to ease reuse of existing buildings","audioSeconds",625,"startMs",3885000,"endMs",4510000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3695715-4e08c90634a078ab1bc1228b4cb55aa5&start=3885&end=4510","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3695715-4e08c90634a078ab1bc1228b4cb55aa5/thumbnail_3885000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6211452/Tennessee/Commission-approves-first-reading-of-downtown-zoning-and-parking-text-amendment-to-ease-reuse-of-existing-buildings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211452-e89b470a7169eea1c571f973eb9e1acb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157202&Signature=ntnsHxsXGNk8-c9XU3dIG~WMf7xk9EWaCL3bZlnwxWfdITUAnCDQNaC7UAbPiRlvvwujWdKNw5g76BtBJkn3Q3VLbgq0HMgVmS2onUL8z-Mbloh7NV0aJiTqXM6LdAQ3E02ea7m5eJhua4l5PCTBGKJraIJjU2hqQlzHDH0VLZfiboZzdOuW9HxoTdepoO9JPHgoUY4pLEGiSL0yD4dt2SHMDvhG3928lRf0o-WY1XatWLgm48ydZ2QJVmWkDt8hLl0WrVVxZCDJe3z85Z5GxYG083KNKLKt3Rc7kSd7dOQLgwnMPtACc-aXmzv0ucrTCDNnM6uLO3KOm2CRoSkq1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Johnson, TN","date","2025-06-06T12:38:50Z","article","The City Commission gave first reading approval on a zoning text amendment designed to encourage renovation and reinvestment in downtown and supporting districts.

Planner Bryce McNamer told commissioners the amendment revises area regulations for the B‑3 supporting Central Business District, clarifies parking requirements for B‑2 (Central Business District) and establishes paving and striping standards for parking in B‑2, B‑3 and West Walnut. The changes would allow some existing buildings in B‑3 to convert uses without meeting modern parking minimums in specific circumstances, lower the required parking standard for new multifamily in B‑3 to one space per dwelling unit, and remove language that inadvertently exempted all of Article 11 from B‑2.

McNamer said staff recommends the changes to better match downtown urban form, encourage mixed‑use activity along street frontages and address the difficulty of meeting current parking minimums when reusing older buildings. The planning commission had recommended approval on May 13; staff said a citywide parking study is pending and will inform future policies.

Commissioners asked questions about setback consistency along Main and Market streets, parking near transitional districts (Watauga/Unico), and where public parking is available to serve B‑3 locations. The amendment passed its first reading and will return for the required public hearing and second reading on June 19.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Johnson City Board of Commissioners Meeting 06-05-2025","oneSentenceSummary","On first reading the commission approved a zoning text amendment affecting B2, B3 and West Walnut districts intended to encourage adaptive reuse, modify residential area rules in B3, exempt some existing buildings from new parking minimums and require paving/striping for downtown parking.","taxTitle","Johnson City, Washington County, Tennessee","taxId",24786,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6211457,"Johnson City approves three‑year, $100,000‑per‑year Safe Baby Court grant for juvenile court services",0,4074000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3695715-4e08c90634a078ab1bc1228b4cb55aa5&start=4074&end=4074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3695715-4e08c90634a078ab1bc1228b4cb55aa5/thumbnail_4074000.jpg","/articles/6211457/Tennessee/Johnson-City-approves-threeyear-100000peryear-Safe-Baby-Court-grant-for-juvenile-court-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211457-900a79aab592b1f98d4a01383f634174/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157202&Signature=nJ0PDFy6~fqQoTbHI8CJPfbSf7n86RjieQfSbiZrYW0gvSlXfd-mrkQ78vetEJuD1uM67Xe50GGu3fPozLukKrR4-Yi65C5gCmonJuAKYE-f5-nyz0fxigUcl7zIHATUZEojERY9goiCOWfSyzXvVM32WmXgcaYzdtPN1sAfHUxm8NH7OIxGsuARCVoBEKtAlZGn~alb4aFg-81YKv~JDAr3QHdMAsMG1432mDibfG-1pP56ZSPiXW5Q8z4R8IwxYGFLebEM4AMsQ6oDFuJk5qQrLNM0Tqpo-SmfIfo-FgfKn92FDmWRsrfeReXbSmq8HWEJatrNA3KBt-1trY6h6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission approved a grant contract with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to continue Johnson City’s Safe Baby Court, awarding $100,000 per year for three years to support the juvenile‑court program.

Judge Sharon Green described the Safe Baby Court as an evidence‑based program for families with a child aged 0–3 and said the court meets monthly and coordinates frequent child and family team meetings and hearings. Judge Green said the program has engaged roughly 15 families in its first year and credited the intensive model with returning two infants to their parents and facilitating two adoptions in other cases.

Judge Green asked the commission to accept the grant so the program can continue its monthly hearings, family team meetings and coordinated services. Commission members praised the court’s work and noted the city’s juvenile court structure allows a concentrated, multi‑disciplinary approach.

The commission approved the grant contract on the consent agenda vote recorded at the meeting.","The City Commission approved a state grant contract to continue the city’s Safe Baby Court program, which focuses intensive court and family team services for children ages 0–3 and their families. Staff said the program has helped return two babies to their parents and supported adoptions in other cases.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6211461,"Johnson City presents FY2026 budget in first reading; no tax increase proposed",1778,4466000,6244000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3695715-4e08c90634a078ab1bc1228b4cb55aa5&start=4466&end=6244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3695715-4e08c90634a078ab1bc1228b4cb55aa5/thumbnail_4466000.jpg","/articles/6211461/Tennessee/Johnson-City-presents-FY2026-budget-in-first-reading-no-tax-increase-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211461-aecb7d3763580b963afcc266218ddc90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157202&Signature=ik0IrBBtajgIPPx8RCc-VPjakAHspJKM6YmhSxTBTzPE6ekXe8kbC3C-B3TUc2n4U7dcyoT70LGkqTN7NY46-jzTKQKhzylrdBHwX~CPccYELMeQM-byhImgnlJySh32G3jkqpzPgyZ1gk0b6IGsBP67E7KBhNsMQgeAXWTqmuOff-882kBhhS9W5LPdaR57eUv5mZXKqDEpfc9QzUwxFoRLov3YU6CWErU4m9eMgczwUzPSeRUN6jOEw7PaSSltxKafqOoE1fWkPg-RqcVb74bRU10ZvJRXuCpu1KP5qJ-V2MHdzpScNtyG5n~YYb99Vp6l0RQ~XtDitokQIFdPbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented the first reading of Johnson City’s fiscal year 2026 budget at the June 5 commission meeting and opened the required public hearing on the proposal.

City Manager Kathy Ball and budget staff said the total proposed revenue across all funds is approximately $120.1 million, with about 64% coming from property and sales tax. Budget Director John Stedman said the recommended projection for sales tax increases is 3.1 percent over the current year’s projection; the city used the University of Tennessee economic outlook as a benchmark.

Dustin Thompson, the city budget director, and Stedman said the proposed general‑fund budget of roughly $92.9 million keeps the city from drawing on fund balance to balance the operating budget and does not include a proposed property‑tax increase. Stedman noted that sales‑tax revenue has grown substantially since 2020 and that hotel/motel tax and other local receipts have rebounded.

The presentation highlighted capital projects tied to the commission’s strategic priorities, including West Walnut improvements, roadway widenings and signal work at Sam Jenkins and Suncrest, a new connector road, downtown crosswalk lighting, the fire training center and continued work on Towne Acres School design. The proposed pay plan would provide a 3 percent cost‑of‑living increase and 0–1.5 percent merit adjustments, with an average employee increase near 4 percent for some employees, staff said.

During the public hearing, residents asked for more transparency about the community survey that informed priorities and whether budget figures were adjusted for inflation. Budget staff said sales‑tax numbers shown on trend charts were nominal dollars (not adjusted for inflation) and that the community survey posting would be checked for public access. One resident urged allocation of new revenue to public‑health and regulatory work tied to the moratorium item discussed earlier.

Commissioners scheduled a special called meeting for further budget consideration and set the third reading and final adoption for June 19. A second public hearing on the budget is required on first reading and was conducted that evening as part of the presentation.","City staff presented the first reading of the fiscal 2026 budget on June 5, holding a public hearing. The proposed budget of about $120.1 million for revenues includes no recommended tax increase; commissioners set schedule for remaining readings and public input.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6211464,"Johnson City Commission approves 12‑month moratorium on new I‑2 industrial land uses, citing studies and stronger rules to follow",3762,257000,4019000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3695715-4e08c90634a078ab1bc1228b4cb55aa5&start=257&end=4019","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3695715-4e08c90634a078ab1bc1228b4cb55aa5/thumbnail_257000.jpg","/articles/6211464/Tennessee/Johnson-City-Commission-approves-12month-moratorium-on-new-I2-industrial-land-uses-citing-studies-and-stronger-rules-to-follow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211464-becbc98b0fbb652d4f52fcabbe691901/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157202&Signature=NZycqNwuqnwSPNELfLH-VhFHkTIdUVkjVMn7fAtWz~pfgTZWXwUKxCwjdAqiVWdQFhyDnJpt-itjpJwbBJvFUAnFuABqglAEslK3uFHqOnLICuDqt5GDKiFYvgvrFdEEqyp7gbQbmp173DpPH9d6ynaPzD9~xl8XOZCx9fa7TQAZSu-BX6yuCb1IbSVeOu-nXXsOAk44y2xvTQiXXKdsmRut3Cv2zhJhnotFHHbc-4Qyoep9w128FV0~kaUijQAZyYx1yX31ByS5JkfgWIQu71IAN3oQTUlgkJwD7oDCSH7Y1Y5D6CB4keV9hof0OqF1-urD8enuIprrRXrb88O5rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnson City Commission on June 5 passed a resolution instituting a 12‑month moratorium on accepting new industrial land‑use applications and on issuing building permits for new construction in the I‑2 (heavy industrial) zoning district.

City Attorney Tom Seeley told commissioners the measure is a resolution, not an ordinance, and “This resolution will temporary halt both the acceptance of new applications and the issuance of building permits for new construction for the noise, vibration, emissions, and pollution” emitted by industries in those areas. He said the pause gives staff time to conduct studies and “make informed decisions about what other restrictions they can apply in our different zoning districts.”

The moratorium followed more than an hour of public comment that focused largely on proposed cryptocurrency mining and large data‑center uses in and near I‑2 areas. Many residents urged stronger restrictions than those previously proposed in a pending text amendment, and several speakers asked for independent studies and greater transparency around a private land purchase by Brightridge that neighbors and commenters linked to potential crypto activity.

“I want to raise emerging questions about Brightridge,” said resident Sylvan Bruni, asking whether the public authority’s board had been told the purchase could be used for crypto mining and why Brightridge paid $525,000 for a parcel the county tax appraisal listed at roughly $193,600. Bruni said the unanswered questions “erode public trust.”

Other residents described local impacts they fear from industrial‑scale crypto or AI facilities: noise and light, threat to wildlife and recreation areas, pressure on the electric grid and water supplies, and risks from heat or fire. Thomas Cook said of existing mining sites he has visited, “You don’t hear a bird chirp.” Jerry Roberson urged the commission to adopt grid rules that give residents priority for electricity during peak use, saying, “Crypto mining gets it last.”

Speakers who support the moratorium urged the commission to use the pause to require independent, peer‑reviewed impact studies and to include community members and technical experts in the drafting process. Michael Fowler, speaking for a citizen coalition, said the moratorium should come with three commitments “on record”: independent studies whose findings are publicly released, proactive community inclusion via forums and a task force, and use of study results to draft stronger regulations.

Commissioners and staff repeatedly framed the moratorium as an initial, temporary measure that will be followed by a coordinated drafting process for text amendments. Commissioner comments emphasized that the moratorium applies only to I‑2 zoning and that passing associated text amendments is required to prevent similar uses from locating in other districts. Commissioners also said the moratorium can be shortened or extended (within legal limits) if studies come in earlier or take longer than planned.

The commission recorded the measure as approved on a roll call vote. No commissioner recorded a nay vote. After the vote, staff said it will proceed with the studies and public engagement described in the resolution and return results and proposed text changes to the commission.

The moratorium and the related text amendment are part of a broader, contested review prompted by recent proposals and a private land purchase that neighbors link to potential cryptocurrency operations. The commission referenced earlier discussion from its May 15 meeting and said the pause will allow staff to broaden an originally scoped noise study to examine “potential health, environmental, and infrastructural hazards.”

Next steps identified in the meeting included conducting the expanded impact studies, bringing findings to the public, and drafting zoning language and ordinance readings informed by that work. Several speakers asked the city to create a standing community task force to participate in the studies and drafting process.","The City Commission on June 5 adopted a 12‑month resolution blocking new industrial land‑use applications and building permits for construction in the I‑2 (heavy industrial) zoning district while staff conducts expanded impact studies and drafts related zoning text changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves first reading of downtown zoning and parking text amendment to ease reuse of existing buildings

Johnson City approves three‑year, $100,000‑per‑year Safe Baby Court grant for juvenile court services

Johnson City presents FY2026 budget in first reading; no tax increase proposed

Johnson City Commission approves 12‑month moratorium on new I‑2 industrial land uses, citing studies and stronger rules to follow