OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Historic Zoning Commission Meeting and Ethics Training - August 20, 2026

City Council & City BoardsThursday, August 20, 2026
BodyChattanooga, Tennessee
SessionCity Council & City Boards
DateThursday, August 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:13:46

Transcript — Verbatim
18:08

The headline is called out specifically.

18:10

So in the appropriate section using a similar form, materials, colors, and simplified detail.

18:16

The account is proposing garage and accessory one unit at the rear of the property.

18:20

The A will have sweeter changes on the side of the roof.

18:28

Yeah, okay, it's proposing garage eight at the rear.

20:07

I think both over the one is some square three sort of square.

20:14

And the ADUs cannot exceed 800 square feet per design.

20:18

So it will not be greater than that.

20:55

That's the new pursuit of the channel C Pack 2, Chapter 101.

21:00

Section 10-15B and Q2 and IL.

21:15

Thank you.

21:16

Okay, our next new business case.

21:17

This is HC 2677 at 5502 Vula Avenue in the St.

21:21

Almohood.

21:22

It's not a historic structure, it's constructed circa 2023.

21:26

The proposed project is to add a dormer on the rear end of detached garage.

21:46

And the uh neighboring property photos.

21:50

And then some examples of drawers sort of what the applicant is requesting in the same alarm.

21:57

And similar garages to what the applicant is requesting.

22:02

And then here's the application information, so the design drawings provided by the applicant.

22:07

So we see that garage at the rear.

22:30

And then if the all shotations provided by the applicant.

22:53

So for the staff reports, chapter 11 once again for us, we're going to be looking at additions, but then uh secondary structures as well.

23:02

So appropriate uh constructing a building with an architectural element or projection designed and detailed similarly or more simply to those found at neighboring buildings or buildings of a similar architectural style.

23:14

The applicant is proposing a drawer at the rear side of the building, and the applicant provided examples of other doors on the construction in the same almond.

23:22

So this is kind of the new construction section.

23:25

And then for secondary buildings, the appropriate section using a similar form of materials, colors and simplified detail.

23:32

The applicant is proposing a garage and accessory drawing at the rear of the property.

23:36

I'm sorry, this is just a garage.

23:54

And so we'll have the applicant's presentation, if you could just state the name of the address for the approaches.

24:23

And then the garage, although it has storage space above, we're not currently planning to have plans to do that, but it has the potential to do that.

24:37

I'm not sure if that really matters.

24:38

But um just like that.

24:41

Right now we're we're not going to turn it into specific space, but potentially at some point are office or something like that.

24:48

Just to make that clear.

24:50

And um the general plan for their both the door edition and rock materials is to match the siding to the composite material.

25:00

So with the composite material, I don't know if it's hard to work off the top of my head, but whatever.

25:06

And then the coloring of whatever the team referring to finishes or try to match the uh deck or something.

25:13

How do you answer any questions?

25:16

Thank you so much.

25:17

Do you have any community comments or things?

25:45

Yeah.

25:51

Okay, I make the motion to approve case number HC-26-77 at 5502 to add the move as to move pursuant to the Chad move that City Coach has to say order to meet in pursuit to the Chad.

26:51

Yes, do we leave the motion to table this one?

27:39

Yeah, pressing.

27:40

Alright.

27:42

Should be a relatively short presentation.

27:46

I think most of you have had it before.

27:50

Just general guidelines for serving on city boards.

27:57

General tips.

27:58

The board members are representatives of the city that intended to serve the public interest to promote confidence and form in the process.

28:53

If anyone has a question at any point, please feel free to interrupt.

28:57

It's governed by state law, not city code.

29:07

Except as provided by the Constitution of the State.

30:00

Um so that would not include an on-site inspection of a project or program.

30:04

Uh I know there are occasional site visits, um, and as long as you guys aren't discussing you know how you're going to vote, uh you can ask questions of the developer or builder or uh applicant, but any deliberation and discussion about how you know whether or not to approve a proposal uh should occur during the the open meeting and not during the site visit.

30:31

Um so any meeting of two or more members that is considered uh a meeting for open meetings for the open meetings act purposes or sunshine law purposes, um and deliberations includes any in any form, whether that's spoken, written um you know email or correspondence, uh so just anything that where you're discussing how a case should be handled or application should be handled, it's considered deliberations for uh for the purposes of the law.

31:13

And if you do those in private, um essentially anything you do following up on that is is considered void uh if it's challenged.

31:26

Um and also you know, if you were discussing how to handle a case or something by email or telephone or well, text message or email that could open up to making those public documents, which we'll get into a little bit later.

31:44

Um, so just need to keep that in mind that generally we want you all to those private citizens outside the board to be able to keep your emails and text messages private.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████25%
Procedural█████████████████████21%
Ethics Compliance█████████████████████21%
Planning And Zoning███████████████15%
Public Engagement█████5%
Code Enforcement█████5%
Homelessness████4%
Pending Litigation██2%
Community Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Historic Zoning Commission Meeting and Ethics Training - August 20, 2026

The Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission met on August 20, 2026, at 1:25 PM. The meeting opened with a training session on ethics, open meetings, and conflict of interest laws, followed by two new business cases: a dormer addition on a garage (HC 2677) and a demolition request for a fire-damaged church (HZD 263). The commission also received staff updates, including the creation of a new historic district for Loughton City.

Training Session

  • Open Meetings and Ethics Training: A presenter from the city attorney's office provided guidelines for serving on city boards. Key points included:
    • Deliberations must occur in open meetings; private discussions (email, text, phone) about cases are prohibited and can void actions.
    • Board members must disclose personal interests that could affect their vote and recuse themselves if necessary.
    • Members should not accept gifts or favors related to their service, and must avoid using confidential information for personal gain.
    • Members were advised to direct public inquiries to staff rather than engaging in discussions that could create conflicts of interest.

Discussion Items

  • Case HC 2677 – 5502 Vula Avenue (St. Elmo): The applicant proposed adding a dormer on the rear of a detached garage at a non-historic structure (circa 2023). The garage has storage space above but is not currently planned for occupancy. The applicant stated that siding and colors would match the existing composite material. Staff cited Chapter 11 of the City Code regarding additions and secondary structures, requiring the design to be similar or simpler to neighboring buildings. The commission voted to approve the case.

    • Motion: Approve HC 2677 per the applicable code sections.
    • Vote: Approved (no recorded opposition).
  • Case HZD 263 – 5519 Beulet Avenue (St. Elmo): The applicant requested demolition of a primary structure, a church built circa 1945 that suffered a fire and was condemned by code enforcement. The applicant explained the property would be subdivided into four lots (one without sewer) and rezoned for single-family homes. Staff noted that new construction in the historic district would require future commission approval. The commission discussed the demolition criteria: public safety, loss of architectural value, and improvement of neighborhood appearance. The applicant noted the property was on the city's demolition list and is a nuisance due to homeless activity. The commission approved the demolition with a condition that the approval does not set a precedent for future demolitions of contributing structures.

    • Motion: Approve HZD 263 per Chapter 10, Article II, Sections 10-15 and guidelines, with the condition that this approval does not set a precedent for demolition of contributing structures.
    • Vote: Approved (no recorded opposition).

Key Outcomes

  • Case HC 2677 approved for dormer addition at 5502 Vula Avenue.
  • Case HZD 263 approved for demolition at 5519 Beulet Avenue, with the noted condition.
  • Staff Updates:
    • Cassie announced her new position as Zoning Development Manager in the Land Development Office. She will continue to oversee historic preservation until a replacement is chosen.
    • A new historic district application for Loughton City (approximately 240 properties) will be submitted in September 2026. The commission will act as the recommending body to City Council. A public meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2026, at the Loughton City church.
  • Commission Recognition: The commission formally recognized Cassie for her leadership and dedication, and expressed interest in a neighborhood walk-through coinciding with the September public meeting.

Meeting Transcript

The headline is called out specifically. So in the appropriate section using a similar form, materials, colors, and simplified detail. The account is proposing garage and accessory one unit at the rear of the property. The A will have sweeter changes on the side of the roof. Yeah, okay, it's proposing garage eight at the rear. I think both over the one is some square three sort of square. And the ADUs cannot exceed 800 square feet per design. So it will not be greater than that. That's the new pursuit of the channel C Pack 2, Chapter 101. Section 10-15B and Q2 and IL. Thank you. Okay, our next new business case. This is HC 2677 at 5502 Vula Avenue in the St. Almohood. It's not a historic structure, it's constructed circa 2023. The proposed project is to add a dormer on the rear end of detached garage. And the uh neighboring property photos. And then some examples of drawers sort of what the applicant is requesting in the same alarm. And similar garages to what the applicant is requesting. And then here's the application information, so the design drawings provided by the applicant. So we see that garage at the rear. And then if the all shotations provided by the applicant. So for the staff reports, chapter 11 once again for us, we're going to be looking at additions, but then uh secondary structures as well. So appropriate uh constructing a building with an architectural element or projection designed and detailed similarly or more simply to those found at neighboring buildings or buildings of a similar architectural style. The applicant is proposing a drawer at the rear side of the building, and the applicant provided examples of other doors on the construction in the same almond. So this is kind of the new construction section. And then for secondary buildings, the appropriate section using a similar form of materials, colors and simplified detail. The applicant is proposing a garage and accessory drawing at the rear of the property. I'm sorry, this is just a garage. And so we'll have the applicant's presentation, if you could just state the name of the address for the approaches. And then the garage, although it has storage space above, we're not currently planning to have plans to do that, but it has the potential to do that. I'm not sure if that really matters. But um just like that. Right now we're we're not going to turn it into specific space, but potentially at some point are office or something like that. Just to make that clear. And um the general plan for their both the door edition and rock materials is to match the siding to the composite material. So with the composite material, I don't know if it's hard to work off the top of my head, but whatever. And then the coloring of whatever the team referring to finishes or try to match the uh deck or something. How do you answer any questions? Thank you so much. Do you have any community comments or things? Yeah. Okay, I make the motion to approve case number HC-26-77 at 5502 to add the move as to move pursuant to the Chad move that City Coach has to say order to meet in pursuit to the Chad. Yes, do we leave the motion to table this one? Yeah, pressing. Alright. Should be a relatively short presentation. I think most of you have had it before. Just general guidelines for serving on city boards. General tips.

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