Johnson City approves annexation hearing, multiple TDOT contracts, stormwater work and parkland gift

The Johnson City Commission on Sept. 4 approved a slate of ordinances, contracts and resolutions spanning annexation and zoning, road and signal upgrades managed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), a grant-funded stormwater project and the acceptance of donated parkland.

Annexation and zoning - The commission approved a preliminary resolution calling for a public hearing (set for Nov. 20) on a voluntary annexation of approximately 67.02 acres at the intersection of Boones Creek Road and Christian Church Road. The property is contiguous to city limits, inside the urban growth boundary, and staff said it lies within the corridor overlay district. - The commission also voted on the related zoning assignment (Ordinance 49-27-25) to designate the property B-4 (Commercial) in anticipation of a commercial development. Planning staff said the project is consistent with Horizon 2045's regional mixed-use place type and estimated a year-3 net revenue of roughly $219,000 from property tax, solid waste and water/sewer fees.

Sanitary sewer easement and right-of-way conveyance - The commission approved first reading of Ordinance 49-28-25 to abandon an existing sanitary sewer easement at 2715 North Roan Street; staff said the public sewer line was relocated in 2003 and the old line is no longer in public use. The abandonment request was made as part of a replat process and staff recommended approval. - On first reading the commission approved Ordinance 49-30-25 to convey about 700 square feet of city right-of-way adjacent to 824 West Walnut Street to Well Inc.; staff said the building encroaches on the city right-of-way and the conveyance will square up the property and facilitate an adjacent Cherokee stormwater project.

Budget and rezoning votes - The commission approved the FY2025 supplemental budget ordinance (Ordinance 49-26-25) on second reading. Finance staff said the ordinance captures revenues and expenditures not included in the adopted FY2025 budget and that it includes school-related funds. - The commission approved the third and final reading of Ordinance 49-23-25 to rezone 21.43 acres at 2875 East Oakland Avenue from R-4 and B-4 to R-5; staff reported no changes since first reading and recommended approval.

Development and land-use items - Heidi's House of Hope (0 Watauga Road): The commission held a public hearing and approved a concept plan amendment for a previously rezoned planned residential development. The amendment reduces unit count from 184 to 138 due to interior layout and topography changes; staff recommended approval but flagged private drives off cul-de-sacs for further evaluation to ensure emergency access and avoid parking conflicts.

TDOT-managed projects, fiber and signals - Consent: The commission approved a contract with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to manage a federally funded fiber optic network expansion (consent agenda item). Traffic engineering manager Anthony Todd said the city currently has about 17 miles of fiber, most underground, and that the TDOT-backed expansion would connect the Boones Creek and Grama areas and additional traffic signals. Todd said the TDOT agreement covers roughly 80% of the project cost. - Old Grey Station Road: The commission approved a contract with TDOT to manage the Old Grey Station Road project, which will add sidewalks, widen to a three-lane section in places and upgrade an existing traffic signal. Todd said the total project cost is $4,225,000 with the city's share about $845,000 (20%). Staff said design and right-of-way work could take up to a year each, with two-to-three years before construction. - Multi-location signal project: The commission approved a federally funded signalization project covering multiple intersections (including a new signal at Grama Station Road and Suncrest Drive and upgrades at intersections on Walnut, Maple and Pine streets and others). Staff described funding as 100% federal at $3,875,000 for the project; upgrades address span-wire and sight-distance problems and are intended as safety improvements.

Parks, stormwater and donations - Donation: The commission adopted a resolution accepting a donation and conveyance of about 10.76 acres at Lower Tannery Knobs from GRTS Partners GP (Grant Summers). Assistant city manager Steve Willis and project partners said the donation will support a bicycle playground and associated trails; the executive director of SORBA secured a roughly $400,000 health initiative grant for the project, and the Johnson City Rotary Club raised over $200,000. Staff also reported a $250,000 allocation from the governor's First Frontier Trail funds for the project. - Cherokee Stormwater Basin Project: The commission approved awarding the low bid to King General Contractors for the Cherokee Stormwater Basin Project, a TDEC grant-funded project. Staff said the TDEC grant provided $3,000,000; the low bid was $5,400,000. To fit within grant parameters and the project timeline, staff removed about $2,800,000 in scope items (to be completed later by city forces or subcontract), retaining roughly $400,000 to be completed using in-house work and selected subcontracts; the central stormwater and educational features will be completed by the awarded contractor.

Votes and procedural notes Most agenda items passed with unanimous recorded votes. Where presenters appeared, they were identified in the record: Riley Putney (Planning), Anthony Todd (Traffic Engineering), John Lane (Water & Sewer Assistant Director), Steve Willis (Assistant City Manager), Dustin Thompson (Finance), Jeff Harmon (Public Works), and representatives for parks and community partners.

Staff said several projects reflect secured external funding and grants; several upgrades, notably the Old Grey Station Road project and the multi-signal safety project, will move through design and right-of-way steps before construction begins.