Soddy-Daisy commissioners voted unanimously at their March 17 meeting to pass an ordinance on first reading that would change the minimum road frontage requirement for individual lots from 75 feet to 50 feet.
Commissioner Geno Shipley proposed the change to the zoning ordinance at a meeting several months ago, and City Manager Janice Cagle said the ordinance was written at the request of the city.
Shipley said the change would allow the city to more easily compete with Chattanooga for new development.
“People want to build these new cottage-type homes,” he said.
Mayor Rick Nunley said an entire subdivision with this type of home was recently developed in Red Bank.
“[Soddy-Daisy] can’t annex anymore property, so we’ve got to utilize what we have,” said Shipley, adding that smaller lots are also good for people who are retiring and want to downsize.
The minimum lot frontage for properties using a septic system would be reduced to 65 feet, he said, as opposed to the 50-foot minimum for properties on sewer. Shipley pointed out that smaller lots would allow developers to more easily recuperate funds spent adding sewer lines to their properties.
Commissioner Robert Cothran expressed his hesitation in voting for the ordinance, stating that he has spoken with several citizens opposed to the change.
“Their concern is this will turn into a slum kind of place,” he said, adding that he has studied the matter thoroughly and has his own concerns as well. “My concern is it will be used differently from what I’ve been brought to believe it’s going to be.”
Cothran asked if there was a way to include restrictions in the ordinance to prevent it from being used in ways unintended by the board, though he also said he recognizes that under the current zoning ordinance, people “can still build a piece of junk.”
Cagle said there is no guarantee that won’t happen.
City Attorney Sam Elliott pointed out that the commissioners have the option to limit the amendment to a particular zone, which would require builders to come before the board and have their property rezoned to that type of zone in order to take advantage of the lot size reduction.
Commissioner Jim Adams also expressed hesitation. His vote was a “reluctant yes.”
The meeting included a public hearing prior to the vote, and Arnold Stulce was the sole citizen to speak. He cautioned against the change, recalling the old company houses situated on narrow lots in the area before the city was incorporated.
“If you look at some of those streets, they’re still slums,” he said.
There will be a second reading of the ordinance at commission’s next meeting, to be held at City Hall April 7 at 7 p.m.