Tullahoma board approves first readings to rezone four parcels, corrects agenda typo on one case

TULLAHOMA, Tenn. — The Tullahoma Board of Mayor and Aldermen on July 14 approved first readings to amend the city zoning map for four separate parcels, moving each to commercial or residential districts to reflect existing uses and the city’s comprehensive plan. The board also corrected a clerical error in the agenda on one parcel’s zoning designation. The rezonings address properties at 217–219 Big Springs Avenue, 400–414 Big Springs Avenue, 501 South Jackson Street/105 West Volney Street, and 113–115 David Allen Drive. The first three were moved from Restricted Industrial and Warehousing (I-1) to General Commercial (C-2) or, in one case, from C-2 to Central Commercial (C-1) as recorded in Ordinances 1653, 1654 and 1655; the David Allen Drive parcel moved from Agricultural (AG) to Low-Density Residential (R-1) under Ordinance 1656. Each ordinance passed its first of two readings by a 6–0 vote. City staff said the rezones resolve situations where multi-tenant buildings and new tenants do not conform to the older I-1 zoning. Property owner Dan Markham was identified as owning two of the Big Springs Avenue parcels; staff said the comprehensive plan shows those sites as commercial and that rezoning would reduce recurring conflicts during business-license and planning reviews. Planning staff and board members discussed the difference between C-1 and C-2 zoning. Planning staff explained C-1 is a limited central commercial zone clustered around downtown intersections with smaller setbacks (no side setbacks and a 5-foot front setback), while C-2 is a broader general commercial zone that permits the uses allowed in C-1 plus additional uses and typically requires larger setbacks (listed in the city code as a 35-foot front setback, 15-foot side setbacks and a 25-foot rear setback). Board members noted existing buildings would remain legal, nonconforming structures if setback requirements differ from their current footprints. A typographical error in the published agenda for Ordinance 1655 was corrected on the record: the agenda listed a parcel incorrectly; staff confirmed the intended change was from C-2 to C-1 and asked that the minutes be corrected. The board voted to move each ordinance forward for a second reading at a future meeting. No appeals or public comments were offered during the four rezoning public hearings. Members of the board and staff said these rezonings are administrative corrections and align current use with the Comprehensive Plan rather than introducing new development rules.