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 containers by right as an accessory use in industrial districts (provided containers are screened from adjacent residential districts) and expands temporary use allowances in commercial and residential districts to 180 days (with a possible extension and an exemption for active building permits).

Miss Williams said staff revised the definition to exclude tractor‑trailers and remove the word "metal" to accommodate nonmetal containers. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval.

In companion action, the council approved amendments to the city property maintenance code (including specified amendments to the International Property Maintenance Code, 2024 edition) that clarify enforcement (allowing violations to be sent to permit holders and contractors), require corrective action for grading and erosion drainage violations within 24 hours, and add property posting as an alternate notice method to address mail delays.

Stormwater sequencing and stabilization

Council approved on first reading related changes to Title 14 (stormwater management) to require that sediment control measures be in place before large‑area clearing and to require continuous stabilization where work is not active. Staff noted the changes are intended to reduce the kind of sediment runoff Oak Ridge experienced earlier in the year. Miss Racker, city staff, said, "We will require continued stabilization to be maintained at locations where work is not active."

Councilmembers raised a potential inconsistency between the new "continuous stabilization" language and another provision that exempts temporary stabilization when work on that portion of a site will resume within 15 days (a TDEC‑based time frame). Staff agreed to prepare clarified language before second reading.

In Lane parcels: land‑use map and rezoning finalized

Council completed final adoption of a comprehensive‑plan land‑use amendment and a rezoning for four parcels on In Lane (approximately 7.76 acres total) to enable a new multifamily development. The land‑use map change (from B/general business to residential) and the rezoning from B‑2 general business to R‑4 high‑density residential were adopted on second and final reading, each by a 6–0 vote.

Transit grant and utility studies

Council accepted a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Critical Trips grant for FY26 providing up to $250,000 in state funding for demand‑response transit (Oak Ridge Transit operated by ETHRA). Staff said the grant increases FY26 funding and will require a local match; the resolution and staff memo showed a total program amount of $312,500, with the local match described as $62,500. "This program provides operating assistance for demand response transit," said Ms. Moore, transit staff. The resolution passed 6–0.

The council also authorized two professional services contracts: a multi‑step water and wastewater cost‑of‑service study with Jackson Thornton and Company, PC not to exceed $145,500, and a joint cost allocation study with Matrix Consulting Group not to exceed $1,818,000. Staff described the studies as multi‑year efforts (deliverables in 2025, 2027 and 2029 for the Jackson Thornton engagement) to inform utility and city budgeting. Both resolutions passed 6–0.

Budget and Finance Committee update

Council revoked a 2014 resolution and re‑established a three‑member Budget and Finance Committee with an alternate member and an updated charge; the change removes obsolete procedural requirements and adds an alternate to help ensure quorum. The resolution passed 6–0.

GSA airport tract offer deferred pending more review

The council received a formal GSA offer to abrogate the airport use deed covenant and right of reversion on approximately 105.61 acres (Airport Tract A in Heritage Center Industrial Park) at an appraised fair market value of $1,900,000 with a $10,000 earnest money deposit. Staff reported that the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) has committed to fund the purchase price to enable the city to convey the property to an incoming nuclear‑industry company.

Kendall, city staff, explained the timeline in the GSA offer: the council has 60 days from the offer date to accept (with a possible extension by agreement) and an additional 60 days to closing if accepted. Councilmember Smith voiced cautious support for acquiring the property but said she wanted more technical information on the proposed industrial use before taking action: "I would support doing this but I don't want to be in a position of saying that OK we'll go with that project based on what I know at the moment," Smith said.

Council voted to defer action on the GSA abrogation and sale resolution to the October meeting to allow staff to arrange a work session and additional briefings (motion to defer passed). In discussion, council asked staff to invite representatives of the prospective developer (identified in staff comments as Oklo) for a technical presentation to council and staff.

Public comment

Resident Doug Colclazier spoke during Citizens' Comments urging the council to preserve the "Three Bend" shoreline area on Melton Hill/Elza and to retain it as open space. "This is probably the most iconic natural landscape in our city," Colclazier said. Councilmembers acknowledged the comment and discussed pursuing stronger protections for key open spaces.

Votes at a glance

- Rezoning (624 West Outer Drive) — ordinance approved on first reading; vote 6–0. - Zoning text amendment (portable storage containers) — ordinance approved on first reading; vote 6–0. - Property maintenance code amendments (International Property Maintenance Code, 2024 edits) — approved on first reading; vote 6–0. - Stormwater management text amendments (sequencing and continuous stabilization) — approved on first reading; vote 6–0; staff to clarify language before second reading. - Land‑use map amendment (In Lane parcels) — adopted on second and final reading; vote 6–0. - Rezoning (In Lane parcels to R‑4) — adopted on second and final reading; vote 6–0. - TDOT Critical Trips grant (FY26) — resolution to accept up to $250,000 and associated local match; approved 6–0. - Jackson Thornton water/wastewater cost‑of‑service study (not to exceed $145,500) — approved 6–0. - Matrix Consulting joint cost allocation study (not to exceed $1,818,000) — approved 6–0. - Budget & Finance Committee reauthorization (3 members + alternate) — approved 6–0. - GSA abrogation and sale of Airport Tract A (offer $1,900,000 with $10,000 earnest money) — public hearing held; council deferred action to the October meeting for additional review and a planned developer work session.

What’s next

Several of the ordinances will return for second reading after public hearings (portable storage containers, property maintenance, stormwater sequencing). Staff will draft clarifying language on the stormwater continuous stabilization provision and schedule a work session with the prospective industrial partner for the airport tract before council acts on the GSA abrogation offer.

Meeting details

The actions and votes described above were taken during the council's regularly scheduled September meeting. Several items were described as companion ordinances or part of multi‑step processes (for example, land‑use map change + rezoning; multi‑round utility studies).