East Ridge planning commission approves rezoning for 1502 Swope Drive over neighborhood objections

The East Ridge Planning Commission on April 6 approved rezoning 1502 Swope Drive from R2 residential duplex to C2 general commercial to allow EA Power Sports (the applicant) to expand its operations, with three members voting yes and one abstention.

Staff recommended the rezoning with compatibility conditions to protect nearby homes, and the commission incorporated those recommendations into the approval. Building official Mr. Howell told the panel the site is bordered by existing commercial uses and a legal nonconforming single-family home to the south and recommended a 6-foot privacy fence along the southern property line, building-height limits (the C2 district allows structures up to 72 feet), exterior lighting controls to limit spillover, and a list of prohibited uses (including automobile service stations, car washes, repair garages and other high-impact uses).

The applicant, Ben Chandler, said the business recently obtained a Segway Powersports franchise and needs an indoor space to perform final assembly of units that arrive in large crates. "We have no interest in being bad neighbors," Chandler said, offering to direct staff not to encourage test drives through the adjacent residential streets and to stage heavy deliveries on the adjacent Easy Auto lot rather than on Swope Drive.

Neighbors who spoke urged the commission to deny the rezoning. Elaine Powell, who said she organized a petition with 28 signatures, asked that the parcel remain residential and cited worries about increased traffic, noise and road wear. Longtime resident Edna De Garmo said she has observed prior construction-related problems at nearby motorcycle facilities and concluded "they have not been good neighbors" in past interactions. Several speakers, including Tucker McClendon, described narrow, damaged streets and said large delivery trucks or crate unloading could block access and impede emergency vehicles.

Staff and commissioners discussed notification procedures after residents said they did not receive mailed notices; Mr. Howell said the city mails zoning notification letters to properties within a 300-foot radius and adds on-site signage, and that staff would follow up to determine why some residents did not receive letters. Commissioners also noted that some adjacent lots already carry a C2 designation without conditions, meaning C2-permitted uses could occur on nearby parcels unless conditions are attached.

The commission voted to approve the rezoning with the staff-recommended compatibility conditions. Roll call on the motion was recorded as Vice Chairperson Hall — yes; Commission member Cornelius — yes; Commission member Witt — yes; Chairperson (recorded in the minutes variably as Tuggle and Taggart) — abstain. The approval attaches conditions including fence, lighting, height and prohibited-use restrictions. The applicant said he will collaborate with residents to limit test drives, schedule deliveries via the adjacent Easy Auto lot, and follow any limits placed by the commission.

The record includes references to prior drainage work and a TriStar Engineering elevation survey noting historical runoff to the 1502 parcel; staff said flooding has occurred in the area and that site elevations were verified for the drainage area. Residents raised concerns about displacement of low-income renters after prior sales of nearby properties; commissioners discussed the limits of the planning commission's authority and how rezoning interacts with existing C2 parcels.

The commission's approval sets the conditions to be enforced if the property is developed under C2 standards; the transcript shows opponents said they plan to attend the city council meeting if the matter proceeds. The meeting record includes inconsistent spellings for nearby streets and some person names in public comment; the commission and staff are recorded as following up on notification and paving concerns.