Council approves 40-foot utility easement across city-owned flood-mitigation land at 1623 Springvale Road

The East Ridge City Council on Jan. 9 approved Resolution 3637 to grant a 40-foot utility easement across city-owned property at 1623 Springvale Road to provide utility access to an unaddressed parcel to the west. Staff said the city acquired the parcel with Community Development Block Grant funds for flood-hazard mitigation and intends the property to remain undeveloped except where limited utility access is necessary.

City planner/project presenter Mr. Howell told the council the easement would "enable utilities to be brought to the parcel." He said WWTA sewer service is not available on Hope Lane, the parcel's current access, so the easement would allow utility lines to be installed from Springvale Road. Howell also said the lot is approximately eight acres with only about one acre buildable; that buildable portion lies in the special flood-hazard area and structures must be raised.

Council members pressed staff for limits on the easement. Council Member Cagle asked whether the easement would permit repeated cuts or future additional utilities; staff answered that the easement is perpetual but that permits would be required for any subsequent street cuts and that typical utility companies that might use it would be Chattanooga Gas, Tennessee American Water and WWTA. Council and staff agreed the easement agreement should prohibit ingress/egress and limit use to underground utilities, include restoration standards, and require monitoring of street repairs for a two-year period after cuts.

City Manager Miller said road construction funds for the pavilion project contingency would cover necessary road work; the manager reiterated that the $1,200,000 community center grant covers the center improvements and sprinkler system but not the road. The council requested that the easement agreement explicitly require restoration to the prior surface and prohibit use as a driveway.

The council voted to approve the resolution. The motion was moved by Vice Mayor Tyler and seconded by Council Member Witt. Roll call recorded: Tyler — Yes; Cagle — Yes; Woodson — Yes; Witt — Yes; Mayor Williams — Yes.

Clarifying details in the meeting: staff said the parcel was purchased with CDBG funds for flood hazard mitigation and is meant to remain open space or for stormwater management; only roughly one acre is buildable and the buildable portion is in a special flood-hazard area, requiring elevation of any structure. Staff emphasized excavation and restoration standards and permit requirements for any future street cuts.

Provenance (excerpt): "Casper Piechneck is requesting the city council's approval for a 40 foot utility easement across city owned property at 1623 Springvale Road...The utility easement Mister Piechneck is seeking will enable utilities to be brought to the parcel." (tc 00:17:05)

Sections:{"lede":"The council approved a 40-foot underground utility easement across city-owned flood-mitigation property to provide service to an adjacent unaddressed parcel at 1623 Springvale Road.","nut_graf":"Staff said the parcel was purchased with CDBG funds for flood-hazard mitigation and is intended to remain undeveloped except to permit limited underground utilities to a single buildable acre. Council sought and obtained commitments to limit use, require restoration, and prohibit ingress/egress.","ending":"City staff will draft the easement agreement with explicit restoration, restriction and permitting language and file the recorded easement if conditions are met."}