Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – July 9, 2024

The Memphis City Council convened at 10:15 AM on July 9, 2024, for its regular meeting. The agenda included approval of prior minutes, several honorary resolutions, a contested special use permit for a gas station, a zoning ordinance, multiple consent agendas, and public comments. Key actions included the passage of Pride Month recognition, two honorary street naming resolutions, rejection of the special use permit, and a hold on a rezoning request pending a traffic study.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The June 25, 2024 meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
• Pride Month Resolution: Commemorating June as Memphis Pride Month, recognizing Friends of George's. Passed by acclamation.
• Honorary Street Name – Judge Bernice Bowie Donald: Front Street between Poplar Avenue and Beale Street to be designated as Judge Bernice Bowie Donald Street. Sponsored by the entire council; passed by acclamation.
• Honorary Street Name – Lawrence and Magnolia Johnson: Shelby Drive between Mill Branch Road and Airways Boulevard designated as Lawrence and Magnolia Johnson Drive. Passed by acclamation.
• Consent Agenda (Items 6-7): Included zoning amendments, ordinance for Hazel Moore Pavilion renaming, referendum on MLGW board composition, and motor vehicle registration fee amendment. Passed unanimously.
• Fiscal Consent Agendas: Multiple fiscal items passed, including acceptance of $400,000 for urban forestry, MLGW items (items 10-38) for street cut permits, equipment purchases, contract renewals, and grant acceptance. All passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gas Station Special Use Permit (Item 4): Several Westwood community members spoke in opposition. Ola Hughes (President of Westwood Neighborhood Association) presented a petition with 545 signatures against the permit. Residents cited existing gas stations (seven within two miles), environmental justice concerns, poverty, and desire for grocery stores or restaurants. Applicants David Bray (attorney) and the owner noted added EV charging stations and solar panels, but community members remained opposed.
• Zoning Rezoning – Cordova (Item 5): Diane McCollow and Christine Fox requested denial or hold pending a traffic study, citing lack of recent study and congestion. They urged community input via upcoming Memphis 3.0 workshops.
• General Public Comments: Topics included criticism of Memphis Police Department (MPD) conduct, a proposed film/music project on Front Street, fiscal transparency critiques, animal shelter crisis, food deserts, and a former city employee’s benefit dispute. Several speakers urged council action on animal shelter conditions and spay/neuter programs.

Discussion Items

• Special Use Permit – Gas Station at 391 Western Park Drive (Item 4): The applicant sought to reopen a former gas station with three fuel pumps, convenience store, EV chargers, and solar panels. Planning staff presented conditions. Council heard public opposition and debated. Councilmembers cited community desires and overabundance of gas stations. Chairman Smiley noted the city has more gas stations per capita than anywhere else. Councilwoman Walker raised concerns about adjacent property owner’s January 6 involvement. Councilman Warren encouraged reimagining. The item failed 0-13.
• Zoning Reclassification – Cordova (Item 5): Proposal to rezone 1.1 acres from CA to R-6 for 16 single-family lots. Public speaker Diane McCollow requested hold for traffic study and community input. Councilwoman Green moved to hold for two weeks (month) to allow feasibility study of a traffic review. Councilman Logan noted a previously authorized Cordova traffic study. Item held for two weeks without objection.

Key Outcomes

• Special Use Permit (Item 4): Denied by unanimous vote (0-13).
• Zoning Reclassification (Item 5): Held for two weeks (to next meeting) to explore traffic study and community engagement.
• All Consent and Fiscal Consent Agendas: Passed unanimously.
• Public Comments: Council directed staff to connect Mr. Simmons (benefit issue) with HR and legal; Chair offered to discuss MPD concerns after meeting.