Red Bank commissioners approve budget amendment, three rezonings and special-event beer permits

The Red Bank Board of Commissioners approved a budget amendment, certified three rezonings on second-and-final reading, and the Beer Board granted two special-event beer permits during a combined session of the commission and beer board.

The actions matter because the budget amendment allocates more than $600,000 in previously unbudgeted funds to city operations and solid waste, the rezonings clear the way for townhouse and infill developments on Midvale Avenue and may affect density on nearby blocks, and the beer board permits authorize on-site alcohol sales at two city events this year.

On unfinished business, the commission approved ordinance 25-1275, amending the FY2025 operating budget to appropriate $376,615.50 to the general fund and $232,000 to the solid waste fund. City staff said the general-fund additions include multiple grants (listed in the meeting record as HYDAC, Tennessee American Water grants, and a Victim/Officer safety-grant category) and line items such as detective salary support in the police department, community center bathroom supplies, two Ford F-150 Lightning pickup trucks, and use of American Rescue Plan Act funds for an Ashmore study. Vice Mayor Holly Berry moved to approve the ordinance; Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson seconded. The clerk called roll; Mayor Stephanie Dalton and all commissioners voted yes. The ordinance passed on second and final reading.

The commission approved two related rezonings on second and final reading for property at 309 and 313 Midvale Avenue (ordinance 25-1276 and ordinance 25-1277). Planning staff explained the application covered two adjacent parcels, one currently containing a vacant, dilapidated house, and the applicant seeks RTZ (residential townhouse/zero lot line) zoning to allow construction of six single-family detached or attached homes with increased density. Vice Mayor Berry moved both rezonings; Commissioner Jamie Fairbanks Harvey seconded; roll-call votes were recorded as unanimous yes and both ordinances carried on second and final reading.

The commission considered ordinance 25-1278, a requested rezoning of 1109 Dayton Boulevard from C-1 (commercial) to C-3 (neighborhood commercial) so the developer can proceed with attached townhome plans. Planning staff summarized that, aside from the townhouse allowance, C-1 and C-3 have similar permitted uses and staff recommended approval. A motion to approve was made and seconded; discussion followed about the parcel’s position between Dayton Boulevard and an existing storage facility. The transcript segment provided does not include a completed roll-call vote for ordinance 25-1278; the outcome is not specified in the meeting record provided.

During a temporary adjournment to the Beer Board, the board approved two special-event beer permits: one for David DeStefano, doing business as Chattanooga Breakfast Rotary Club, to vend beer at the city-sponsored Jubilee on May 3, 2025, and the Christmas Parade and Festival on Dec. 13, 2025, at Red Bank City Park (3817 Redding Road); and one for Jeff Schwenke, doing business as Clever Ale House, to vend beer at the grand opening of Haley Reynolds’ business at 2224 Dayton Boulevard on May 10, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For both permits applicants described standard ID checks and use of barriers/signage; the Beer Board votes carried after motions and seconds were recorded.

The commission approved the consent agenda by motion and second: minutes from April 1 work session and meetings, and three resolutions listed in the meeting record as 25-1786 (Project Diabetes grant application), 25-1787 (Department of Justice bulletproof vest grant application), and 25-1788 (authorization to purchase up to 20 replacement computers). The clerk called the vote and the consent agenda passed.

Discussion items that did not change city policy included recurring event announcements, the Red Bank Cemetery Declaration Day planned for April 26, and reports from commissioners about the new bicycle traffic garden and upcoming community events. City Manager Granham reminded commissioners of two FY26 budget workshops scheduled for April 22 and April 29 and noted that city offices would be closed for Good Friday.

Votes at a glance: • Ordinance 25-1275 — FY2025 budget amendment: motion moved by Vice Mayor Holly Berry; seconded by Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson; roll-call vote recorded as unanimous yes; outcome: approved (second and final reading). Key details: general fund +$376,615.50; solid waste fund +$232,000; purchases include two Ford F-150 Lightning trucks and facility/operational items; several grant-funded expenditures listed by staff. • Ordinance 25-1276 — Rezoning 309 Midvale Ave to RTZ: motion moved by Vice Mayor Holly Berry; seconded by Commissioner Jamie Fairbanks Harvey; roll-call vote recorded as unanimous yes; outcome: approved (second and final reading). • Ordinance 25-1277 — Rezoning 313 Midvale Ave to RTZ: motion moved by Commissioner Terry Holmes; seconded by Commissioner Jamie Fairbanks Harvey; roll-call vote recorded as unanimous yes; outcome: approved (second and final reading). • Ordinance 25-1278 — Rezoning 1109 Dayton Blvd from C-1 to C-3: motion moved by Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson; seconded by Vice Mayor Holly Berry; discussion recorded; roll-call vote not included in provided transcript; outcome: not specified in the provided record. • Beer Board item A — David DeStefano (Chattanooga Breakfast Rotary Club): special-event beer permit for May 3 (Jubilee) and Dec. 13 (Christmas Parade) at Red Bank City Park; motion moved by Vice Mayor Holly Berry; seconded by Commissioner Terry Holmes; outcome: approved. • Beer Board item B — Jeff Schwenke (Clever Ale House): special-event beer permit for May 10 grand opening at 2224 Dayton Blvd (10 a.m.–4 p.m.); motion moved by Commissioner Jamie Fairbanks Harvey; seconded by Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson; outcome: approved. • Consent agenda — Resolutions 25-1786, 25-1787, 25-1788 and minutes: motion moved by Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson; seconded by Commissioner Terry Holmes; outcome: approved.

Commissioners and staff spoke briefly during discussion and public comment periods but no substantive opposition to the approved ordinances or permits appears in the provided transcript segments. The record contains additional operational details (grant names, equipment purchases, event logistics) that staff said would be reflected in the final ordinance and resolution texts.