Red Bank commissioners approve first reading to abandon unopened Old Morrison Springs Road right-of-way

The Board of Commissioners of the City of Red Bank on first reading approved an ordinance to abandon the unopened right-of-way of Old Morrison Springs Road from the eastern right-of-way line of Tom Weathers Drive to the western right-of-way line of Highway 27, subject to the city’s continuing right to use the area for stormwater management.

City Director Johnson told the commission the request came from the sole adjacent property owner, Turner Exteriors Development Holdings LLC, which has assembled four parcels and seeks a continuous site for a proposed mixed-use commercial development. “This is not a rezoning, this is not a site plan review, This is not development standards,” Director Johnson said, and staff supported the planning commission’s recommendation in favor of the request.

At the podium, a representative for the property owners described the practical constraint the unopened right-of-way imposes. “We have assembled all the properties adjacent to it and our hope is to be able to utilize it in its entirety and have a continuous site,” the applicant said, noting the abandonment would allow the owner to position buildings and parking more efficiently. The applicant and staff said the city will retain necessary utility easements, including a sanitary sewer easement coordinated with the City of Chattanooga and a small stormwater easement segment to preserve access.

A public hearing on the ordinance was held and no members of the public spoke. Commissioner Wilkinson moved to approve the ordinance on first reading; Commissioner Holmes seconded. The roll-call vote was unanimous: Mayor Dalton, Vice Mayor Berry, Commissioners Fairbanks Harvey, Holmes and Wilkinson all voted yes. The ordinance advance is the first step; staff and the applicant indicated future site planning and civil engineering will follow and that retained easements will be coordinated as the project moves forward.

Because the action was a first reading, further review and a second reading are required before the abandonment becomes final. The commission and applicant emphasized that the decision does not change zoning or development standards and that stormwater and sanitary easements will remain in place for city access.