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Council approves first reading of rezoning for Groundscapes site after opposition from nearby homeowners
Summary
Council approved first reading of a rezoning request for property at 4272 Bonnie Oaks Drive to an industrial heavy (IH) zone with conditions limiting hours and allowable materials after public opposition raised environmental and notice concerns.
The Chattanooga City Council approved on first reading a rezoning request Dec. 16 to change property at 4272 Bonnie Oaks Drive to an industrial heavy (IH) zone with limiting conditions, despite opposition from nearby homeowners who asked for a deferral and more outreach.
Applicant representatives said the site has functioned as a construction lay‑down yard for more than 20 years and that the rezoning request is intended to formalize and slightly expand that long‑running use farther back on the parcel. "Changing hands doesn't change the zoning," the applicant's representative, Mike Price of MAP Engineers, said in rebuttal to neighborhood concerns and said the requested conditions would limit future uses.
Janette Starzick, president of the Water Haven homeowners association, spoke for nearby residents and said they recently learned about the proposal and sought more time to evaluate environmental risks to South Chickamauga Creek and the potential for future industrial uses. "We just are still, we have a lot of questions," Starzick said, asking the council to defer the vote so neighbors could be better informed.
Council discussion focused on whether the conditions attached to the rezoning would prevent noxious industrial uses in the future. Staff described the proposed conditions, which include limiting hours of operation to 7 a.m.–6 p.m. and limiting allowable uses in the IH zone to outdoor storage yards and to storage and sales of landscaping and construction materials such as erosion control products, drainage pipe, rebar, gravel, topsoil and mulch, and to typical loading equipment.
Councilman Clark, whose district includes many of the directly impacted neighborhoods, said those neighbors have been briefed and that conditions were tailored to prevent uses like asphalt plants or chemical operations. Vice chair and other members noted that the planning commission and staff had worked on conditions and that the applicant had committed to outreach.
After debate and a short rebuttal from the applicant, the council moved and approved the rezoning on first reading; the record shows one councilmember voting nay. The rezoning passed with specific conditions limiting uses and hours and will return for any required subsequent readings under the city’s ordinance process.
