Mayor Brent Lambert stepped down from his position as Chairman of the East Ridge Planning Commission meeting Monday evening at City Hall.
Mayor Lambert appointed Casey Tuggle to fill the vacancy.
“I’ve been contemplating this for a few months now,” Mayor Lambert said via text on Tuesday morning. “After six years on the commission (and as chairman), this just seemed like the best time to step away. I have a great deal of confidence in the other commissioners and know they will be fine. It will allow me to focus more on some of the other projects we’re working on.”
The planning commission then voted on a new Chairman. Ron Renegar, a longtime member of the planning commission and a commercial real estate agent, was unanimously elected to the chair. Mike Chauncey, who was recently appointed to fill Eric Avans seat, was chosen as Vice Chairman.
Tuggle is the Chief Operating Officer of the Kelly Auto Group and has lived in East Ridge for about a decade.
Michael Frixen with Southeast Tennessee Development District formally presented the city’s five-year parks and recreation plan to the planning commission. The city had contracted with Southeast to develop a comprehensive plan that is required by the state to be eligible for Local Parks and Recreation Fund grant money.
Frixen explained that the plan’s focus was primarily on recreational opportunities outside of Camp Jordan Park. He said that several months ago the city moved toward developing a plan to improve the area around City Hall and building a municipal complex or town center.
Those plans include improving Pioneer Frontier playground, building a new “splash pad” or water feature, and building a multi-use pavilion.
The plan also provided options to improve the city’s park on Springvale Road. Frixen said that property currently contains a sign and a parking lot. One option would be to create a dog park with amenities on the land.
Frixen said the city is currently addressing maintenance issues with the athletic fields at East Ridge High School, which the city acquired from the school system last year. He said the plan called for improvements to aging tennis courts at the school. Those improvements could be financed with grant money from the United States Tennis Association if the courts were made available to the general public.
Board member Larry Sewell asked about a “price tag” for the projects.
Frixen said there was a “ball park” price but nothing specific. As the process moves forward a price for various elements of the project would be the basis to apply for grant money to help offset costs.
Chairman Renegar said the planning commission would review the 75-page document and make a recommendation to the East Ridge City Council at a future date.
In the only other business before the planning commission, principals of Perry Village – the subdivision behind At Home on McBrien Road- submitted final plot lots to the board. The planning commission approved the plats with a unanimous vote.
_ The East Ridge Beer Board met on Monday evening approving the transfer of an off-premises beer license to the new owners of the Kangaroo convenience store at 4011 Ringgold Rd.
