Portland Board of Mayor and Aldermen Meeting - October 20, 2025

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of Portland, Tennessee, met on October 20, 2025, to discuss a range of topics including a warning siren presentation, public hearings for beer permits, a comprehensive overview of economic development incentives (PILOTs and TIFs), and several zoning and infrastructure items. Key actions included the approval of two beer permits, a change order for the Splashpad project, the first reading of an ordinance reclassifying duplexes as multifamily housing subject to PUD requirements, and multiple resolutions and ordinances related to public works, police, and utilities.

Consent Calendar

• Ordinance No. 25-55 (Second Reading) – Approved a contract between the Portland Airport Authority and the State for maintenance costs (FY 2025-2026).
• Resolution No. 25-68 – Re-appointed Glenda Brewer to the Public Housing Authority.
• Minutes from the October 6, 2025 City Council meeting were approved.
• Department Reports from August and September were accepted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were signed up for the general public comment period.
• Three public hearings were advertised but no oral public testimony was given:
  • Application for On- Premises Beer Permit for The Hitching Post Western Saloon (Tabatha Bolding).
  • Application for Off-Premises Beer Permit for Portland Fuel Stop (Gerges Armanious and Maichel Basilious).
  • Ordinance No.25-54 (Second Reading) – Rezoning 304-310 Fowler Ford Road from R-15 and GCS to PUD.

Discussion Items

• Warning Siren Presentation: Representatives from MCA (Clinton Zach, Kelly Ronian) presented a proposal for seven outdoor warning sirens (WPS 2900 series) at a total cost of just under $450,000. The first siren is $95,000; additional sirens cost between $60,000 and $70,000 each. The system is solar- powered, with a five-year warranty and a 20-year lifespan. It can broadcast voice messages and is designed to complement cell phone alerts. No formal action was taken; the council expressed interest in further details on maintenance costs and a phased approach.
• Community Development –PILOTs and TIFs: ECD Director Sherry provided a detailed explanation of Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements and Tax Increment Financing (TIF). PILOTs are typically seven years (state allows up to 20), used for industrial and potentially commercial projects, and approved by the Industrial Development Board (IDB). TIFs require city and county approval, use future property tax increments to pay for public infrastructure, and are currently only used for one project (Tractor Supply). The IDB has been training and uses outside attorneys for cost-benefit analysis.
• Planning & Codes – Duplex/Multifamily Debate: Resolution No.25-69 (converted to Ordinance No.25-58 on first reading) sparked extensive discussion about whether duplexes should be treated as multifamily housing requiring a Planned Unit Development (PUD). Vice-Mayor Thompson and others argued that duplexes are multifamily and should be subject to the same PUD requirement as triplexes and larger projects to maintain city control over density and design. Alderman Woodall and others expressed concern that small single-lot or two-lot parcels (e.g., R-10 lots) cannot physically meet existing PUD setback requirements. The city attorney noted that a PUD requirement for rezonings is legal but could be onerous for small projects. The council ameded the agenda to convert the resolution to an ordinance (25-58) and passed it on first reading, with the intention of revisiting language to potentially create a streamlined process for smaller lots.
• Legislative: Resolution No.25-73 – A request to the General Assembly to amend the city's private act charter (due to a clerical error from a previous session). The resolution was approved unanimously; the state expects to act in February 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Beer Permits Approved: Both the on-premises permit for The Hitching Post Western Saloon and the off-premises permit for Portland Fuel Stop were approved unanimously by the Alcohol Beverage Board (with Alderman Ellis serving as temporary chair).
• Splashpad Change Order Approved: Resolution No.25-72 was passed authorizing Change Order #2, extending the substantial completion date to March 12, 2026 (124-day extension) and final completion to March 26,2026 (108-day extension) for the Richland Park Splashpad project. The council debated liquidated damages and interest payments on a $1.5 million loan but ultimately supported the extension to avoid project abandonment.
• CDJ Farms Ordinance Amended and Approved: Ordinance No.25-57 (Second Reading) was amended to clarify that the city's stormwater department will perform seed stabilization (Section 1.1.5) and that the developer must complete the park trail connection and Jim Courtney Road access (Section1.1.6 and 1.1.7) by December 31, 2025. The ordinance as amended was approved.
• Duplex as Multifamily Ordinance (First Reading): Ordinance No.25-58 (formerly Resolution25-69) passed on first reading, stating that all future rezoning applications involving duplexes will treat them as multifamily housing, thus requiring a Planned Unit Development (PUD). The council plans to refine the PUD requirements for small lots before second reading.
• Police Station Change Order Approved: Resolution No.25-70 authorized a change order of $29,000 for the Police Station Remodel Project.
• State Route 109 Pavement Markings Approved: Resolution No.25-71 authorized TDOT to apply pavement markings at certain intersections (including possibly “Do Not Block” markings at McLaughlin and Church) on SR 109.
• Pump Station Land Acquisition Approved: Order No.25-56 (Second Reading) authorized the acquisition of approximately 0.35 acres on Mt. Vernon Road for a water pump station (property identified as map 68 parcel 151.00).