Some residents of Soddy Daisy believe the city’s zoning ordinance is outdated and would like to have the option of building zero lot line homes. Commissioner Gene Shipley brought this up for consideration after he was contacted by a developer who wants to have the lot sizes changed on some residential property to 50 foot road frontage versus 75 feet which is the minimum width in the code now. The minimum square foot requirement of the property would still be satisfied because the lots are deep.
The reduction of lot size would allow this developer to fit 14 shotgun houses, each 24 feet wide on the property as opposed to 10 that would be the maximum allowed with the current zoning. The increased number of houses would make the project as a whole, more feasible because of the cost for putting in the sewers to service these homes, said Commissioner Shipley. He also said it would expand the city’s tax base.
City Manager Janice Cagle said that the ordinance could be changed by the commissioners. The procedure would be to first send it to the planning commission which would need to receive their recommendation before coming back to the commissioners for final approval. Mr. Shipley asked the other commissioners to think and talk about the matter.
Thursday night, on second and final reading, the commissioners approved rezoning a tract of land at 115 Coke Oven Road from General Business District to R-1 single Family Residential.
The city manager said money had been budgeted this year to buy a pair of blinking, warning, solar street lights for Ivy Academy. Ms. Cagle told the board that the school gave Soddy Daisy a check for $5,000 to pay for the lights which cost $6,052. She would now like to order a second pair for Soddy Daisy Middle School or Allen Elementary.
Ms. Cagle also reported that the city received a 50/50 matching grant from TML (Tennessee Municipal League) Safety Grant for the maximum of $2,000. This money was spent to purchase bullet proof vests for the fire department to have available if needed when responding to an emergency.
Commissioner Robert Cothran reminded those present that the annual Punkin Festival has been planned for and, as of Thursday night, is still on for this coming weekend despite the rainy forecast. It begins Saturday at 9 a.m. A 5-K run and 1-mile fun run start at 10 a.m. Mr. Cothran said there would be activities for kids and vendors selling food and crafts. Proceeds will go to the Ronald McDonald house.
Mayor Rick Nunley said that the mayors smoke free community will take place Oct. 12. where there will be a press conference. By participating he said, the city could get free signage and park benches with no smoking messages painted on.
The Hamilton County Sheriff's Department semi-annual shred-it campaign and drug take-back event will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 6933 Dayton Blvd. at the HCSO West Annex.