Oak Ridge council approves zoning and code changes, funds transit and utility studies; defers airport sale decision

Oak Ridge — The Oak Ridge City Council on its September meeting approved several zoning and code changes, accepted state transit funds and professional studies for city utilities, and deferred a decision on a U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) offer to release an airport deed restriction tied to plans for nuclear‑industry development.

The council approved a rezoning on first reading for a 0.27‑acre property at 624 West Outer Drive to allow neighborhood‑serving business uses, clarified rules on portable storage containers, and adopted edits to the city property maintenance code and stormwater rules intended to reduce sediment runoff from construction sites. The council also completed final adoption of a land‑use map change and rezoning to allow higher‑density multifamily development on four parcels on In Lane.

Why it matters: the package of zoning and code changes aims to resolve recurring issues — illegal or long‑term use of storage containers, erosion and sediment control during construction, and mismatches between zoning and proposed development. The GSA offer and the linked proposal to repurpose the former airport site for nuclear‑industry use drew the most sustained attention; councilors asked for a work session with the prospective developer and additional technical briefings before approving the federal property abrogation.

Rezoning at 624 West Outer Drive

City planning staff presented a request to change Anderson County Tax Map 099GG Group A Parcel 047 (about 0.27 acres) from R‑2 low‑density residential in the Manhattan District overlay to B‑1 neighborhood business. "Staff and the planning commission recommended approval of the rezoning request," said Miss Williams, city planning staff. The planning commission and staff said the B‑1 district limits the kinds of commercial uses allowed, requires more restrictive signage than other commercial districts, and would require site‑plan review and a vegetative buffer if the existing house is removed.

The motion to approve the ordinance on first reading passed by roll call, 6–0 (Mayor Pro Tem Dodson, Councilmember Gleason, Mayor Gooch, Councilmember Hensley, Councilmember Hope and Councilmember Smith voting yes).

Portable storage containers and property maintenance

Councilors approved a zoning text amendment to update the city's definition and rules for portable storage containers (sometimes called "conex" boxes). The change allows portable storage…