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Council approves rezoning, cross‑connection ordinance and budget amendments; several items set for Sept. 22 hearing
Summary
At its Aug. 25 meeting the Loudon City Council adopted a zoning ordinance on second reading for Matlock Bend Road, approved a cross‑connection control ordinance rewrite, authorized bank‑account signature changes, and adopted fiscal‑year 2025–26 budget amendments; first readings and a public hearing were scheduled for Sept. 22.
The Loudon City Council approved several ordinances and administrative measures at its Aug. 25 meeting and scheduled public hearings for first‑reading zoning requests.
On second reading the council approved rezoning 26.4 acres on Matlock Bend Road (Tax Map 032, Parcel 001) from R‑2 (high‑density residential) to Planned Development District, citing a unanimous recommendation from the regional planning commission. Vice Mayor Pearson, Council member Newman, Council member Cardwell, Council member Ridings and Mayor Harris recorded “aye” on the roll call (Council roll call, Aug. 25, 2025). The ordinance references Tennessee Code Annotated sections cited on the agenda (13‑7‑203 and 13‑7‑204 as listed in the agenda description).
The council also approved on second reading an updated cross‑connection control ordinance replacing Title 18, Chapter 2 of the municipal code. Council members voted in favor on roll call and the measure advanced after discussion at a prior workshop (Council roll call, Aug. 25, 2025).
The council adopted a resolution authorizing bank‑account signatures to add a newly created position (system/assistant recorder) as an authorized signatory. That item was approved by motion and voice vote.
Council members approved amendments to the fiscal‑year 2025–26 budget included in the meeting packet; the council discussed one notable purchase in the packet — a K‑9 program item — during earlier workshop remarks. The budget amendment passed on the council’s vote (Aug. 25, 2025).
The council approved minutes from the July 28 meeting and accepted several administrative appointments by unanimous consent: reappointments to the Industrial Development Board for Joe Newman, Jackie Leffler and Ruth Henderson McQueen for six‑year terms.
First readings and scheduling: The council held first readings on two rezoning requests and set public hearings for Sept. 22. One request would rezone property on Commerce Street (Tax Map 441B, group A, partial 2223240.01) from C‑1 (Central Business District) to P‑1 (Professional) at the request of property owners Bill and Sherry Watkins and 12 Holdings LLC. Bill and Sherry Watkins spoke at the meeting about proposed professional and small‑scale instructional uses and said they want to maintain the buildings’ historic appearance. The council set the public hearing for Sept. 22.
Why it matters: The Matlock Bend rezoning and Commerce Street requests affect land‑use designations that determine future allowed uses and density. The cross‑connection ordinance update affects water‑system safety rules. Budget amendments allocate local funds and included equipment and program line items discussed at a prior workshop.
What the council did not do: The council did not take action on citizen concerns about the county landfill during the Aug. 25 meeting; those matters were raised during the citizens input portion and left for follow up.
Votes at a glance
- Rezoning (second reading) — Matlock Bend Road (Tax Map 032, Parcel 001) — motion: approve rezoning from R‑2 to Planned Development District; roll‑call recorded yes votes: Vice Mayor Pearson, Council member Newman, Council member Cardwell, Council member Ridings, Mayor Harris; outcome: approved.
- Ordinance (second reading) — Replace Title 18, Chapter 2 (cross‑connection control) — motion: adopt updated ordinance; roll‑call recorded yes votes: Council member Cardwell, Vice Mayor Dixon, Council member Newman, Council member Riddings, Mayor Harris; outcome: approved.
- Resolution — Authorize bank‑account signatures (add system/assistant recorder) — motion: approve; outcome: approved (voice vote/unanimous consent).
- Budget amendments FY2025–26 — motion: approve amendments as presented in packet (included K‑9 purchase line item discussed in workshop); outcome: approved (roll call recorded yes votes: Vice Mayor Dixon, Council member Newman, Council member Cardwell, Council member Riddings, Mayor Harris).
- Minutes approval (07/28/2025) — motion: approve minutes; outcome: approved.
- Appointments — Industrial Development Board reappointments (Joe Newman; Jackie Leffler; Ruth Henderson McQueen) — motion: reappoint by unanimous consent; outcome: approved.
Next steps: Public hearings for the Commerce Street rezoning and any other first‑reading items are scheduled for Sept. 22, 2025; the council will consider public testimony at that meeting before final action.
