The East Ridge Planning Commission met Monday evening and voted to give a small parcel of property the city owns to the entity that is developing the Jordan Crossing complex.
The one-third acre parcel is on the north side of the road that currently brings motorist into Camp Jordan Parkway from Ringgold Road. The city was given the property in the early 1990s by the company that developed America’s Best Value Inn, officials said. The city used the property to build a road into the park.
That road will be abandoned in coming months as a new configuration for Exit 1 coming off Interstate 75 is begun. The new road configuration will bring motorists straight onto Camp Jordan Parkway giving much more ease of access to the Bass Pro Shop and the future retailers and restaurants proposed for Jordan Crossing.
“To me, it’s clear that the property was given to the city with no financial (stake) involved,” said Mayor Brent Lambert, who also serves as Chairman of the planning commission. “The city will not be using it for any purpose.”
There was no opposition voiced by residents concerning the issue. The vote was 3-0, as board members Eric Avans and Ann Pruett were absent.
Ethan Wood, a representative of Exit 1 LLC, the entity that is building Jordan Crossing, told the panel that the land will now go back on the tax rolls. Wood said there are plans to build a restaurant adjacent to the property the city is “abandoning” and the one-third acre will most likely be used for parking.
The measure will now go before the East Ridge City Council, Lambert said. It must pass two separate readings before the land will officially change hands from the city to Exit 1 LLC.
Kenny Custer, the city’s Chief Building Official, said the East Ridge Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on Feb. 6 where the board will discuss amending the city’s commercial sign standards and architectural design standards for new construction in East Ridge.
The planning commission meetings which were once held in a small room in the back of City Hall will now be held in the Council Chambers/Court Room. The meetings are typically scheduled for Mondays and begin at 5:30 p.m.
