East Ridge council adds 'preferred' qualifications for zoning and housing board appointees; ordinance 12-17 amended on first reading

The East Ridge City Council on May 8 amended an ordinance governing the Board of Zoning Appeals to direct council members to consider preferred professional skills — though not require them — when appointing residents to the board. The council also approved a parallel amendment to the Housing Commission ordinance on second and final reading.

Council member Robert Witt introduced the change during debate on Ordinance 12-17, saying the board makes final decisions and the city should encourage applicants with experience relevant to built‑environment review. “Some of the experience that we need to have on that board is architecture, building and site construction, civil engineering, comprehensive plan and land use plan knowledge, real estate development,” Witt said. He proposed language directing council members to consider preferred skills such as building inspection, architect, contractor, civil engineer, fire‑protection professional, public works or realtor experience.

City staff and other council members discussed making the list advisory rather than mandatory so current members would not be forced off boards and to preserve broad applicant pools. The amendment ultimately adds a sentence to the ordinance that those appointing to the Board of Zoning Appeals should consider preferred skills “including, but not limited to” a short list of construction, engineering and related backgrounds; the draft language also allows for “other relevant experience.”

Council member Witt offered a matching amendment to Ordinance 12-18, which governs the East Ridge Housing Commission, arguing the housing board’s duties — including condemnation and demolition hearings — benefit from relevant technical expertise. That amendment (preferred, not required) was approved and Ordinance 12-18 passed on second and final reading as amended.

Votes at the meeting followed recorded roll calls. On the motion to adopt Ordinance 12-17 as amended on first reading the amendment passed (Vice Mayor Tyler: Yes; Council member Cagle: abstain on the amendment; Council member Ozell/Ezell: Yes; Council member Witt: Yes; Mayor Williams: Yes) and the ordinance was approved as amended on first reading. On Ordinance 12-18 the amendment passed and the ordinance was approved as amended on second and final reading.

The council directed staff to prepare revised application materials for board appointments that will highlight the preferred skills and provide an area for applicants to document relevant certifications or licenses. Officials said the change is intended to encourage applicants with technical experience while keeping the requirement advisory so the council still may appoint residents who bring other relevant perspectives.

The changes return for second reading in the council’s regular schedule for Ordinance 12-17; Ordinance 12-18 was enacted at this meeting.

The council also handled several other routine agenda items at the May 8 meeting, including a consent agenda and presentations, but the zoning and housing board amendments prompted the lengthiest policy discussion on qualifications for quasi‑judicial boards.