The city tabled a controversial rezoning of an apartment complex to allow time for the owners and concerned homeowners who live nearby to talk, Thursday night at the last City Council meeting of July.

The council requested conditions on the development of the Sweetbay Apartments at 3623 Fountain Avenue before rezoning from R1 to R3 Residential Apartment District would be considered.

Residents who live nearby the apartment complex where several buildings have stood vacant for years, are concerned about crime and population density. Residents are asking for a “crime-free addendum” to be considered by the complex’s owners, Lexington Asset Management. 

Contractor Mike Croxall, who is working with the owners of the property, told the council that he will arrange a meeting with concerned citizens and representatives of the city to discuss issues.

The concept of a dog park and new animal services facility is inching closer toward becoming a reality. About $1.5 million in revenue from the Border Region increment sales tax that was earmarked to build a pavilion behind City Hall will now be used to build an animal services facility.

The question now is if the city would be reimbursed by the state under the Border Region Act for the construction of the facility. City Manager Scott Miller told the council that the State Department of Revenue would have to be consulted on whether the animal services building would indeed be an eligible cost for reimbursement.

Miller said that even if the state turns down the animal services building as an eligible cost the city could find a way to fund it.

Officials said that two properties for the new animal services building that would also accommodate a dog park have been identified. 

The council approved the purchase of two pickup trucks – one for the Parks and Recreation Department, another for the Sanitation Department – at a cost of about $50,000.

The council approved a $13,000 purchase of a video system for the police department. 

Jody Grant presented a $5,500 check to the International Brotherhood of Police Officers. The donation came about from a “Back the Blue” barbeque and bake sale fundraiser put on by citizens at Camp Jordan Park earlier this month. 

Hamilton County District 8 Commissioner Tim Boyd is donating $7,500 of county funds to be used to purchase supplies for the police department. 

The IBPO claims that ERPD officers do not have sufficient supplies provided by the city to do their job. Those essential supplies, the IBPO states, are latex gloves, taser cartridges, ammunition and body armor.

Contributed Photo – Jody Grant presents check to IBPO, Thursday night at the East Ridge City Council meeting.