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Council denies rezoning at 1512 John Ross Road after neighbors urge preservation of single‑family character
Summary
The East Ridge City Council voted unanimously May 20 to deny a request to rezone 1512 John Ross Road from R‑1 to R‑2 (duplex) to allow short‑term vacation rentals; neighbors cited traffic, safety and property‑value concerns during a public hearing.
The East Ridge City Council on May 20 denied a rezoning application for 1512 John Ross Road that the property owner said he wanted to rent as a short‑term vacation rental. The motion to deny passed unanimously after a public hearing in which multiple neighbors from Glen Oaks and surrounding streets urged the council to preserve the neighborhood’s single‑family character.
Why the council denied the rezoning
Owner Richard Altman told the council he intended to use the house as an Airbnb while he travels and that he had hired a property manager to supervise the property in his absence. Altman said he had no intention of converting the structure into a duplex and that he had rebuilt the house after a previous fire. Despite those assurances, neighbors said they feared the R‑2 designation would pave the way for investor purchases, increased rentals and eventual duplex conversions.
Neighbors’ concerns
Residents who spoke during the public hearing described Glen Oaks as an established, owner‑occupied neighborhood with children and neighborhood events. Laurie Bridal (listed in the record as a Glen Oaks resident) said the area was a “gem” and that residents did not want year‑round or day‑to‑day rentals that would bring frequent turnover and transient occupants. Douglas McVay, a longtime resident, said he worried a proliferation of rentals would lower nearby property values and reduce tax revenue.
Applicant’s case and staff context
Altman said he wanted flexibility to rent the home on short‑term platforms only when he traveled and that he planned to remain the owner and maintain the property’s upkeep. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended denial at the commission level, citing neighborhood character, parking and the risk of “spot zoning” that could set a precedent for similar requests.
Council action
After public comment, Vice Mayor Tyler moved to deny Ordinance 12‑20; the motion was seconded and carried in a unanimous roll call vote (Tyler, Cagle, Ezell, Witt and Mayor Williams all voting yes). The denial leaves the property zoned R‑1 (single‑family residential) with no change to the zoning map.
What the decision means
The denial preserves the current single‑family zoning and prevents the short‑term rental use that the applicant sought via rezoning. The decision also underscores neighborhood influence in rezonings that residents view as likely to change long‑term character or allow investor conversions.
Next steps
No further action on this application will proceed unless the owner files a new application or appeals the decision per local code. Planning staff will retain the application record for reference.
