Chattanooga City Council Meeting – December 9, 2025

The Chattanooga City Council met on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, in an afternoon session that included a public hearing on a de‑annexation application, discussion and votes on multiple rezoning and planning items, approval of resolutions and purchases, and public comments on food access and parking policies. The council recessed from approximately 3:50 PM to 4:20 PM before resuming the voting meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the previous meeting were approved without objection.
• Several resolutions were approved as a package: items A and B (leases for Cassette Skate Shop and Missionary Ridge Neighborhood Association); items D and E (appointments to the Form‑Based Code Committee); items F–I (appointment of four hearing officers for the Beer Board); items J and K (public works change order for the Chattanooga Skate Park and a solid waste grant for an automated recycling truck).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brianna Williams (District 9 resident) described the food desert in the Brainerd area, noting that the nearest grocery stores are 2.6 to 8.4 miles away and inaccessible by bus for many. She urged the council to create a committee to attract a grocery store to District 9.
• Krista Manorino (Signal Centers) reported on the Family Forward program, which has served 2,271 individuals over 10 years. Outcomes include 94% of teen parents staying in school or graduating, 96% earning a high school diploma (vs. 53% nationally), and 36% attending post‑secondary education. She thanked the council for past funding and requested continued support.
• John Musolowski (Highland Park resident) argued against increasing parking minimums downtown, stating that parking structures kill economic activity and that downtown density generates more tax revenue. He supported reducing minimums, especially given the housing crisis. In response to a council question, he clarified he was in favor of the proposed reduction, not an increase.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing – De‑Annexation (Versailles Land Development / Chick‑fil‑A): The council held a public hearing; after testimony, the hearing was closed without needing extended time. (No vote taken during agenda session.)
• Item J – Rezoning at 1309 Chamberlain Avenue (District 9): Councilman Elliott introduced conditions: 30‑foot height limit, 8‑foot setback on the west side, retention of the existing structure, no front driveways on Chamberlain Avenue, and attachment of the updated site plan to the ordinance. Approved.
• Item G – Rezoning at 4100/4200 Shallowford Road (District 5): The applicant (Stone Creek Consulting) agreed to drop the rezoning request for 4115 Shallowford Road, leaving the commercial parcel along Shallowford Road for future mixed‑use development. Conditions include office/warehouse/lay‑down yard only, max height 45 ft, and a 6‑foot side obscuring fence on tax map 147 CE 001 (unless it impedes floodplain function). Councilman Clark praised the collaboration and approved. Approved as amended.
• Item H – Rezoning at 4272 Bonnie Oaks Drive (District 5): Councilman Clark expressed concerns about heavy industrial use (IH zone) adjacent to residential areas and Chickamauga Creek. He requested a deferral for further discussion with staff and the applicant. Deferred to December 16, 2025.
• Item K – Zoning Ordinance Amendment (Parking Regulations): Councilwoman Burrs moved to remove the parking‑regulation section (regarding multi‑unit living in the downtown form‑based code) from the ordinance, allowing more time for study. The alternate version (adding special exceptions for reception facilities and standalone drive‑throughs) was approved.
• District 2 Items:
  • Item D (915 Barton Avenue, rezone to CN) – Approved subject to conditions.
  • Item E (1313 Mercer Street) – Deferred to March 10, 2026.
• Other Planning Items: Items C (Ravenia Lane), F (Hicks Road), I (Hilltop Drive) were approved with conditions.
• Internal Audit Items: The council adopted an amended policy for fraud, waste, and abuse prevention.
• Purchases: Two purchases approved – a four‑year refuse hauling agreement not to exceed $775,000 annually (CWS Chattanooga Hauling), and a $100,000 increase for generator maintenance ($285,000 annual total). A sole‑source purchase of an underwater drone for police recovery operations ($24,898) was reported.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Items C, D, F, G (as amended), I, J (as amended), K (alternate version); resolutions A–K (packages); purchase items; audit policy.
• Deferred: Item E (to March 10, 2026); Item H (to December 16, 2025).
• Next Steps: Councilman Clark noted ongoing work with the mayor’s office on food‑desert solutions, including potential TIF‑based incentives. The legislative committee meeting on the carriage horse ordinance was postponed to January 2026 at Vice Chairwoman Noel’s request.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:45 PM.