Waverly Motel in East Ridge eyed for demolition followed by dining, retail

The Waverly Motel is seen on Friday, May 10, 2019, in East Ridge, Tenn. / Staff file photo
The Waverly Motel is seen on Friday, May 10, 2019, in East Ridge, Tenn. / Staff file photo

On Jan. 23, the East Ridge City Council voted unanimously to rezone the property next door to the Waverly Motel to make way for the motel's demolition.

Owner Roshan Patel applied to have the neighboring property at 1509 McDonald Road rezoned from R-1 residential to C-2 general commercial so he can demolish the motel and put in a commercial business storefront, said lawyer Rob Carden, who represents Patel.

Last May, the city's housing commission temporarily closed the Waverly Motel for city and state code violations including missing smoke detectors and electrical and plumbing issues, which have since been corrected. In addition to fixing up the property, Patel added security cameras and new rules to limit extended stays.

Carden had no comment on why Patel is now seeking to demolish the motel.

In November, the city's housing commission recommended the rezoning request in a 4-1 vote, with the conditions that a 6-foot-tall privacy fence or berm be placed at the perimeter and that the building not exceed two stories in height.

Current plans for the property include a medical facility, dining options and small storefronts, but there is no timeline yet. Since the 1509 McDonald Road property is surrounded by residential areas on three sides, it will be required to have a setback on all three sides, making only about 4,800 square feet available to build on, Kenny Custer, the city's building and codes director, said at the Jan. 23 meeting.

During the first public hearing for the rezoning Jan. 9, Carden said Patel has worked with the planning and housing commission on redevelopment ideas.

"Part of the revitalization includes rezoning the property [next to the Waverly] to allow for development that would impact East Ridge citizens in terms of something they would want or need as opposed to a motel that is predominantly transient in nature," Carden said.

Residents who live in the neighborhood voiced concerns about the owner's wish to rezone the property next to the motel, stating that this could devalue their property and cause increased traffic into the neighborhood. The parcel on which the motel sits is already commercially zoned.

Email Sabrina Bodon at sbodon@timesfreepress.com.

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