[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6360517,"mediaKeyId","2174737-c3f642d3dbed7db415dd260f32ed6c79","parentId",2174737,"title","Commissioners press county staff on Plan Hamilton, RPA costs and planning representation for unincorporated areas","audioSeconds",1123,"startMs",3340000,"endMs",4463000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174737-c3f642d3dbed7db415dd260f32ed6c79&start=3340&end=4463","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174737-c3f642d3dbed7db415dd260f32ed6c79/thumbnail_3340000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6360517/Hamilton-County/Tennessee/Commissioners-press-county-staff-on-Plan-Hamilton-RPA-costs-and-planning-representation-for-unincorporated-areas","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360517-1f08559e53886b678da4a432baa19108/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145243&Signature=Cuem1TtaW9O8RhyeAcA0fqv~DaaLdHEWsVVKbNKUTIw2SovD9o4A~RAfOYHRAP7c68mThKUFON~sbYaMnjIdV-gTFhLimR89auO-7mHc88mykKVbeRVAlV5B7F8jTjUSdvZ2uqSvni3bjKtC4VgvIQO1oe38a5OYgvW1mVeCIwq0r96aqe5kvwUX3-WJ9xqdkeQXE-P6OTQGkrucBc-vMqNaespNXYBwKMuqP9P3gAtur1CnQm6AR~h61CUi7odsAajcCH24oAzJkNwDWku8-sQT4wXYQ9tNwMyq42Ci72DP0FgHIVSzUaBEht9O3F6ztxR5~g6ziMQluBC5m4KTJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hamilton County, TN","date","2025-01-31T08:25:53.537Z","article","During announcements and general discussion on Jan. 29, several commissioners raised questions about Plan Hamilton, the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) contract, and whether Hamilton County should develop an in-house planning commission or alter the existing RPA structure to better represent unincorporated areas.

Commissioner Shipley opened the discussion by asking why Hamilton County does not have its own planning commission separate from the city-led RPA; he said residents in rural districts feel planning decisions are being made without adequate local knowledge. Commissioner Baker and others said the needs of urban and rural areas differ and that representation and staff focus should reflect those differences.

Nathan Janeway, director of Development Services, cautioned against a simple split because city residents pay county taxes and because county interests intersect with incorporated areas; he said final zoning decisions still rest with the county commission. Brian Schultz of RPA explained the current composition of the planning commission: 15 members, seven appointed by the county mayor, seven by the city mayor, and a jointly appointed chair. Schultz and Janeway said they were working on a Plan Hamilton update and emphasized that zoning-code amendments would be needed to change net density calculations.

Commissioners raised several technical concerns: the difference between gross acreage and buildable acreage, a desire for a net density calculation in zoning, and worries about decentralized wastewater systems in parts of the county that are far from centralized wastewater treatment. Commissioners suggested staff prepare options, and the county attorney’s office agreed to research legal steps and report back; a planning-and-zoning committee meeting was proposed for follow-up within roughly 30 days.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 29, 2025 - Hamilton County Commission Recessed and Agenda Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","At the Jan. 29 meeting commissioners raised concerns about Plan Hamilton, the composition of the planning commission, RPA staffing costs and potential in-house planning; county staff and RPA representatives described options and the attorney’s office agreed to research legal issues.","taxTitle","Hamilton County, Tennessee","taxId",3756,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6360519,"Commission debates private-act route for mayoral term limits and defers action",1889,1381000,3270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174737-c3f642d3dbed7db415dd260f32ed6c79&start=1381&end=3270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174737-c3f642d3dbed7db415dd260f32ed6c79/thumbnail_1381000.jpg","/articles/6360519/Hamilton-County/Tennessee/Commission-debates-private-act-route-for-mayoral-term-limits-and-defers-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360519-01541ba3284a9f83267fba14db794615/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145243&Signature=F864DTDUZQxl0xBODDXKQTHgTLmMpmISI3yY9aYu6AK38FVct-OFcEXsKpJOsT~AMfX0di4M0Ls6LLebzlU4BeeiQBfqjMsIpVjlkvc00y-24XQHDgNjnIzVj6fZNPvsotnQ2SW2tUQxcepC1t2wc5decOlPKK85L3JIYa0u~Gzwl8GFEgsWK5zMQEkBWI6jr2P-h2HLW4fkvQKYLuuEpqLOmagpz9JB-BgkO6NxD164EoDFtExXa-2PDK8DAMYKondofbDcxPJCm75wZuqTtMESjzt8AMCOd~sTKkBhbmZhJTYB5opEXmaicMgWaDc~pQ3H0P08do4UgOiqSHkVSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Jan. 29 the commission heard an extended discussion of Resolution 225-6, in which the county mayor asked the commission to request the state legislative delegation to introduce a private act to impose term limits of two four-year terms on the office of Hamilton County mayor and to submit the act for approval by county voters via referendum if required.

The mayor presented the proposal as a way to create regular executive turnover and cited other counties and higher levels of government that use executive-term limits. Supporters said limits create urgency and accountability; the mayor said he has self-imposed an eight-year limit on his own service. Several commissioners expressed sympathy for the concept but raised concerns about legal complexity, the private-act process and operational continuity.

Commissioner Sharp, Commissioner Graham and others asked whether a private act drafted in Nashville might be altered by the legislature and how that would affect county prerogatives; Attorney Taylor and county staff explained that private acts traditionally require local ratification — either a two-thirds vote of the county legislative body or a countywide referendum — before they take effect. Commissioners worried about unintended consequences for multi-year capital projects and staff continuity, noting the county recently issued a $260 million bond and that limiting the executive could affect the tenure of department leadership. Some commissioners suggested a less final signal — such as a letter to delegation leaders — rather than initiating a private act immediately.

No formal vote was taken; the commission deferred consideration and will take up the matter at its next regular meeting.","County mayor introduced a proposal that Hamilton County request a private act to impose two four-year term limits on the county mayor; commissioners debated legal and governance implications and deferred formal action to the next regular meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6360524,"Commission previews conveyance of four parcels to Room at the Inn and hears expansion plan",437,933000,1370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174737-c3f642d3dbed7db415dd260f32ed6c79&start=933&end=1370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174737-c3f642d3dbed7db415dd260f32ed6c79/thumbnail_933000.jpg","/articles/6360524/Hamilton-County/Tennessee/Commission-previews-conveyance-of-four-parcels-to-Room-at-the-Inn-and-hears-expansion-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360524-206bf921bd7c4816a5221f24f40280d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145243&Signature=SDhryor11ZzFnGjeIblyeX56rvbDOAhK6YxHvfgYkKs08aEzIAmfjeubUGpI19MsLyS6BptCFY5EIIYse6p8UQ-bVHtbMSLYkd2aU9nsMdTLhkg0tGRZxU~7wSL3xQAPrHVG-1VybPcJM~30JM41kXDxm0sEvWillF6-hoQlkvpwFxta5Pg0kNt1T-nJZzQh60a~K~MCJx~w6Xcxvt2imoRuuOxMF20Kv83KKDToOfbHrXsKwr5ylSvdIWSpZ3woC-xD4NRk~ai3qlgnGwwRJfwDKNhtjdgQFKVCbDkvYDeJi7HPIB7TDEfnlFVqMx4SuBRUUdoDRLaDCRBNMJSy8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners on Jan. 29 reviewed Resolution 225-5, which would authorize conveyance of four parcels of county-owned real property (parcel IDs 146gk007, 146gk008, 146gk010 and 146gk010.01) to Room at the Inn, and would authorize the county mayor to execute documents necessary to effect the conveyance.

Commissioner Helton introduced the item and described prior efforts to identify county property suitable to support the nonprofit’s work. Taylor Hickson, representing Room at the Inn, told commissioners the organization is conducting a feasibility study and presented a preliminary plan for an expansion projected at $12 million to $14 million. Hickson said the expanded facility would triple the organization's capacity: the group currently serves a little over 100 people per year, stays at capacity and turns away roughly 60 people a month; a feasibility study started in January is expected to conclude in June and, if successful, a capital campaign would follow with a hoped-for groundbreaking in 2026.

Commissioners asked procedural and fiscal questions. Commissioner Chauncey advised Room at the Inn to pursue applicable tax-exemption paperwork when the property conveys. Commissioner Graham asked whether the conveyance would include a revisionary clause; that point was not resolved on the record. Several commissioners, including Commissioner Helton and Commissioner Sharp, voiced support for the nonprofit’s work and said they planned to vote in favor. The mayor commended the organization and noted prior commitments by a former mayor.

The commission did not vote on Resolution 225-5; the item was scheduled for formal consideration at next week’s regular meeting.","Commissioners previewed Resolution 225-5 to convey four county parcels to Room at the Inn and heard from the group's representative about a $12–$14 million project to triple service capacity; the item was set for consideration next week.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6360529,"Hamilton County Commission approves $120,000 USGS LIDAR contract",324,396000,720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174737-c3f642d3dbed7db415dd260f32ed6c79&start=396&end=720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174737-c3f642d3dbed7db415dd260f32ed6c79/thumbnail_396000.jpg","/articles/6360529/Hamilton-County/Tennessee/Hamilton-County-Commission-approves-120000-USGS-LIDAR-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360529-89610d9b3e51980bf615ba3b2dde3372/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145243&Signature=eVA2~DaurdvHglP4q6NmhzBBTosZIzSwKEr4o41Om9HX~sjmpXNQXbeTGmlvQ55HtzaMPS5F6G349fk5ApVKCMLaQtObKde9xBaAyqFhUSO-BIImbyhFW~iTB74MyEYC2L1BTKSWvpxsjCF-1ypZFO9HR05rwzvOOxtsxUK6-Ai5bTn3wR8YFqS2gTlbs~k~YWUp1gZdpgsJPUp0mWw1LgKjUkSf2TKKhKaQynly00POFfnsc~LZQ152uq5aOoEZIaFVb5YT0DTVP0iBnaCqlvSwKggYLroi0Jctbshc~hYzoPuGrHLpm0XYb85IuQXj8Wk9sNpVOoFHU8iwPrYkZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hamilton County Commission on Jan. 29 approved Resolution 125-21 authorizing the county mayor to enter into a contract with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to obtain LIDAR data for Hamilton County and to amend the county general budget to record $80,000 in additional revenue and $80,000 in additional expenditures.

County staff and commissioners said the county was able to join a multi-jurisdictional USGS flyover that reduces the county’s cost: under the arrangement Hamilton County’s share is $120,000 for coverage the county would otherwise pay about $180,000 to obtain on its own. Lee (staff member) told commissioners the flyover must take place in winter to minimize leaf cover, and that the county’s one-third share of the project is $40,000 while the City of Chattanooga and a GIS partnership will each cover $40,000; the budget amendment accepts that outside revenue and the matching expenditures.

Commissioner Graham moved approval; Commissioner Baker seconded. The commission conducted a roll-call vote and recorded 10 yes votes, 0 no votes and 1 absence (Commissioner Beck). Chairman Eversall announced the motion carried and Resolution 125-21 passed.

Commissioners also noted the related Resolution 125-22 will be deferred to March 12 to coordinate with the City of Chattanooga.

The county will now proceed to finalize the contract so the USGS flyover can be scheduled during the winter window.","The commission voted Jan. 29 to authorize the county mayor to sign a $120,000 contract with the U.S. Geological Survey for winter LIDAR mapping and to amend the county budget to accept $80,000 in outside revenue and add $80,000 to expenditures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners press county staff on Plan Hamilton, RPA costs and planning representation for unincorporated areas

Commission debates private-act route for mayoral term limits and defers action

Commission previews conveyance of four parcels to Room at the Inn and hears expansion plan

Hamilton County Commission approves $120,000 USGS LIDAR contract