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Oak Ridge council approves zoning, stormwater changes and multiple contracts in October session
Summary
At its October meeting the Oak Ridge City Council adopted several ordinances and a set of resolutions: rezoning and zoning-code amendments moved forward, stormwater code changes were approved on first reading, municipal court fees and personnel overtime rules were adopted, and council authorized contracts for wastewater monitoring, pavement repairs and a water-line replacement.
Oak Ridge’s City Council adopted a series of ordinances and authorized multiple contracts during its October regular meeting, approving regulatory updates and infrastructure work city staff said are needed as the city grows.
Council approved on first reading a rezoning request that would change approximately 3.48 acres (Parcel 048.01) on the north side of the Turnpike near Bermuda Road from R1 CMDO (single-family with overlay) to R3 (medium-density residential) to allow attached single-family or townhouse development; staff noted access will be to the Turnpike and the item returns for second and final reading in November. “The proposal from the developer is for attached single family or townhouses,” a planning presenter said during the hearing.
On code updates, council approved on first reading amendments to the stormwater-management chapter to align local requirements with a new TDEC MS4 permit. Staff said the changes raise design-storm requirements (moving from a 1-inch control to a larger design storm in some cases), add a 10-acre outfall provision and add new waste-control measures for construction sites. Councilmember Smith noted the permit’s design-storm numbers and the practical improvement for detention basins’ performance.
Council gave final adoption to an ordinance increasing the municipal court clerk fee from $86.25 to $113.75; staff said the change helps offset costs from recent software implementation. The council also adopted a personnel-plan amendment simplifying overtime pay calculations for standby call-ins by replacing the prior formula with a 1.8-times multiplier.
On infrastructure and services, council authorized two short-term flow-monitoring contracts with Fox PE LLC — up to $120,000 for the Rarity Ridge service area and up to $80,000 for the Turtle Park service area — to establish baseline flows and help identify inflow sources. Staff said these studies are part of ongoing work that has already reduced overflows. The council also approved waiving competitive bids to award up-to-$200,000 as-needed pavement point-repair work to PRI of East Tennessee for large utility cuts and street repairs; staff clarified routine potholes remain city-crew responsibilities. A contract for East Drive water-line replacement (about 1,800 linear feet) to Bradston Trucking not to exceed $732,568 was approved, and staff said the work will replace mains, hydrants and services on both sides of the road using ARPA funding.
Council approved an equipment purchase — a 45-foot bucket truck for the electric department — not to exceed $197,539, and a cooperative agreement tied to a housing-authority rehabilitation and new-construction project that staff said is structured so the city is not financially obligated on bond financing (staff referenced roughly $22.5 million in project financing materials). Several of the resolutions carried by roll-call voice or unanimous consent (typical tally reported: “6 ayes, no nays”).
The meeting closed with the city manager’s report on ongoing services and community events and an adjournment after an early-voting reminder.
The council will revisit the rezoning ordinance in November for second and final reading; other implementation steps named in the meeting (flow-study procurement, contract start dates) proceed under staff direction per the approved agreements.
