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Bristol City Council approves zoning moves, limits roosters and backs Tri‑Cities air service guarantee
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Summary
At its Nov. 4 meeting, the Bristol City Council approved annexation zoning for a newly annexed parcel, rezoned and abandoned right-of-way requests, adopted a revised animal ordinance allowing one rooster per parcel, and committed up to $75,000 per year for two years as a minimum revenue guarantee to support Breeze Airways service at Tri‑Cities Airport.
The Bristol City Council on Nov. 4 approved a slate of zoning, development and administrative measures and formalized a nearby regional air‑service subsidy.
Among the actions, council approved Ordinance 25‑22 designating a newly annexed 6‑acre parcel on Sweet Knobs Trail as R‑1A (low‑density single‑family). Planning staff said the future‑land‑use map supports the low‑density designation and that the council’s second reading will close the annexation process once the ordinance is effective in 17 days.
Council also approved two first‑reading zoning measures. Ordinance 25‑24 abandons an unopened portion of Whitaker Drive/Buena Vista Drive to allow a single adjoining owner to consolidate 15 parcels into one large lot, a request planning staff said carries no zoning conflicts because surrounding parcels are R‑1A. Ordinance 25‑25 rezones 1 Crest Pointe Drive from M‑2 back to B‑3 General Business; staff said the future‑land‑use map anticipates commercial development there and the planning commission recommended approval.
On animal control, council approved Ordinance 25‑26, a revised draft that will allow one rooster per parcel inside city limits beginning May 20, 2026, while continuing to prohibit peafowl and guinea fowl. Planning staff told council the community development department will handle education on allowable animals and the police department’s animal control unit will handle enforcement; staff stated animal control is currently fully staffed.
Council also adopted Resolution 25‑179, establishing a $75,000 per year minimum revenue guarantee for Breeze Airways service at Tri‑Cities Airport for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. According to staff, the funds would flow through the First Tennessee Development District and be paid out to Bridge/BRIDGE Aviation only if invoiced to cover a shortfall; if unused the money will not be spent.
Other approvals included an interagency IT services agreement with the Bristol Public Library (Resolution 25‑176), naming private streets within the Farm Meadows development (Resolution 25‑180), the appointment of a student Parks & Recreation Commission member (Resolution 25‑178), and amendments to the city’s economic development incentive program that add a Strategic Development Area centered on the West State Street corridor (Resolution 25‑181). City attorney Danielle Smith said the proposed SDA covers roughly 47 acres with about $23.2 million in tax‑appraised value and could allow pilot incentive agreements for mixed‑use retail, professional office, medical office and corporate headquarters projects.
Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 25‑24 (Whitaker/Buena Vista right‑of‑way abandonment): motion approved on first reading (mover: councilmember who moved; second: councilmember who seconded). Vote recorded as affirmative on roll call.
- Ordinance 25‑25 (rezoning — 1 Crest Pointe Drive): motion approved on first reading (mover: councilmember who moved; second: councilmember who seconded). Vote recorded as affirmative on roll call.
- Ordinance 25‑26 (animals — rooster/peafowl/guinea fowl): motion approved (mover: councilmember who moved; second: councilmember who seconded). Vote recorded as affirmative on roll call.
- Ordinance 25‑22 (annexation zoning for Sweet Knobs Trail/Sean Hunt property): approved on second reading; annexation process will close after the ordinance becomes effective.
- Resolution 25‑176 (IT services agreement with Bristol Public Library): approved.
- Resolution 25‑177 (council assignments updating mayoral appointments after a resignation): approved.
- Resolution 25‑178 (appoint Delaney Linkus, student member, Parks & Recreation Commission): approved.
- Resolution 25‑179 (Tri‑Cities minimum revenue guarantee — $75,000/year for FY26–27): approved.
- Resolution 25‑180 (name private streets in Farm Meadows development): approved.
- Resolution 25‑181 (amend economic development incentive program — West State Street SDA): approved.
What council said
Planning staff summarized each zoning item, noting the planning commission’s favorable recommendations. On the animal ordinance, planning staff said the revised draft responds to prior public comment and allows one rooster per parcel; when asked who enforces violations, staff said community development will provide front‑end education and animal control will manage problem cases.
On the air‑service support, staff noted Bridge announced Breeze Airways service from Tri‑Cities to Washington, D.C., and Orlando beginning in December; the adopted resolution establishes an up‑to $75,000 per year commitment for two years to backstop a revenue shortfall if needed.
Next steps
Several items (including the annexation ordinance) go into effect on published schedules (the annexation ordinance becomes effective 17 days after adoption). The economic development incentives amendment and related West State Street coordination are expected to be discussed further at upcoming work sessions and in meetings with Bristol, Virginia staff and property owners.
(Quotes in this story come from council meeting remarks and staff presentations at the Nov. 4, 2025 Bristol City Council meeting.)
