Memphis City Council approves zoning changes, multiple contracts and ordinance updates in unanimous votes

The Memphis City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 4 to approve a series of zoning, development and administrative items, award and amend multiple utility contracts, and adopt an ordinance adding provisions on deadly weapons and extreme protection orders.

The measures passed include amendments to the Unified Development Code, special-use permits and plats, multiple Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW) contract awards and renewals, the naming of a community pool, a property sale, and a transfer of $600,624 into a fiscal year 2025 capital-improvement project for Westwood Pool repairs.

Why it matters: the package advances several neighborhood-level development actions and authorizes multi-million-dollar utility contracts that affect city operations and infrastructure. The council also cleared an ordinance that adds enforcement provisions related to deadly weapons and extreme protection orders.

Most consequential items - Unified Development Code change (Ordinance No. 5925): The council approved an amendment to remove a section of the White Station residential corridor overlay (case RC24-02) on third and final reading. The item was considered as amended and passed after a committee recommendation. Council member Carlisle recused from this item. The motion carried.

- Planned development (PD24-14): The council approved a planned development on the south side of Sanderlyn Avenue and north side of Willis Drive (sponsored by the Division of Planning and Development). The item was amended in committee and then approved.

- Special-use permits and paper-alley closure: The council approved a closure of a paper alley near Central Avenue and South Cooper Street (SAC24-06), and approved special-use permits at 1344 East Shelby Drive (SUP24-44) and 2401 Harbor Avenue (SSUP24-45). The SUP24-44 approval included multiple amendments requiring exterior repairs, additional landscaping, removal of window tint, restriping and sealing of the parking lot, removal of abandoned street furniture, LED lighting and an active security camera system.

- MLGW fiscal consent (items 16–28): The council approved a package of MLGW contract awards and amendments, including (amounts as presented): an 18-inch pipeline replacement contract (~$28.82 million), a contract for Xylem/Dewatering Solutions survey services (up to $8.8 million), a 200-kW generator purchase ($849,600), multiple contract renewals and change orders (amounts ranged from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands), and other equipment purchases and service renewals. Several of the MLGW items were listed for same-night minutes and were approved by the council after committee recommendation.

- Ordinance on deadly weapons and extreme protection orders (Ordinance No. 5926): The council passed an amendment to Title 10, Chapter 20 of the City Code adding provisions on regulation of deadly weapons and extreme protection orders. The item passed on third reading as amended.

- Naming and property actions: The council approved naming the Ed Rice Community Center pool for Ossie Lewis Jr. (Ordinance No. 5927), approved the sale of a parcel at 272 Jacoby Avenue for $3,000 (parcel ID 0351050008), and approved a $600,624 reallocation from completed CIP projects to FY25 CIP project PK04020 (Westwood Pool Repairs).

- Appointments and legal authorization: Courtney Melton F. was appointed to the Health Education and Housing Facility Board. The council approved hiring a special attorney under Ordinance No. 5294 to file suit on behalf of the city related to extraordinary mediation.

How the votes went: committee recommendations were repeatedly announced as “favorable” before floor votes. Multiple items were moved by Vice Chair Swearington Washington (listed in the record) and seconded by members including Warren and Spinoza; the council recorded roll-call yes votes for each item as part of the official record and several items included the notation that the item had been considered “as amended.” Where recusals were recorded, the transcript notes Council member Carlisle recused himself on specified items.

Background and next steps: Many planning and development approvals stem from Division of Planning and Development recommendations and from the Planning & Zoning committee. Several MLGW items were either contract renewals or competitively awarded contracts that will be executed under the utility’s procurement rules. Ordinances passed on third reading take effect per the code’s effective date rules unless otherwise noted in the ordinance text.

Votes at a glance (selected items) - Minutes, Jan. 21, 2025: Adopted (voice/roll-call). - Item 6 (Ordinance No. 5925, RC24-02): Approved (as amended); Council member Carlisle recused. - Item 2 (PD24-14): Approved (as amended). - Item 4 (SAC24-06): Approved. - Item 5 (SUP24-44): Approved with amendments requiring building repairs, landscaping, LED lighting, security cameras and other site improvements. - Item 16–28 (MLGW fiscal consent): Approved (multiple contract awards and change orders; selected amounts cited in transcript). - Item 29 (Ordinance No. 5926): Approved on third reading (deadly-weapons and extreme protection-order provisions; as amended). - Item 30 (Ordinance No. 5927): Naming of Ed Rice Community Center pool for Ossie Lewis Jr., approved. - Item 32: Sale of parcel at 272 Jacoby Ave. for $3,000, approved. - Item 33: Transfer/appropriation of $600,624 to PK04020 (Westwood Pool Repairs), approved. - Item 34: Appointment of Courtney Melton F. to Health Education and Housing Facility Board, approved. - Item 35: Authorization to hire special counsel pursuant to Ordinance No. 5294, approved.

Council procedure and record: For many items the council recorded that committee action provided a “favorable recommendation” before floor motions were made. Several items were explicitly noted as “as amended” by the Planning & Zoning committee or by the sponsoring committee prior to final recording. A set of items were read and approved as same-night minutes at the end of the meeting (the transcript lists those same-night items in the record).

Next formal steps for adopted ordinances and contracts will follow the city’s administrative processes for ordinance execution, contract signature and implementation by the responsible departments (Division of Planning and Development, MLGW, Engineering, and Parks).