6AM City In-house

2023: the year of the rabbit zoning

Decoding Zoning: plans for 2023
Part of the Chattanooga skyline at sunrise.
2023 is a big year for local planners. | Photo by NOOGAtoday
“2023 is a big year for us.” — Dan Reuter, Executive Director of the Regional Planning Agency + City Planning Administrator

What does that mean? In today’s installment of Decoding Zoning (a series where we try to make local zoning codes and processes easier to understand), we’re diving into why this year will be so big for city and county planning.

According to Reuter, 2023 will be all about having a good sense of where the city and county are headed, and what zoning changes can be made to address potential problems before they arise.

This will be an opportunity to understand growth, traffic, housing, sewer, and school issues, among others. Along with two consulting teams — one for Hamilton County + one for the City of Chattanooga — the RPA will dig into all of these issues as much as possible.

Don’t worry, there’ll be a chance for you to make your voice heard. In the first quarter of the year, however, the consultants and RPA will focus on gathering + understanding all of the data as best as possible.

When we spoke with Reuter, he told us that they were working to have a draft modernizing the zoning ordinance out to the public soon. You can stay updated on the RPA’s website + the zoning code update website.

“We are fortunate that we can look at consultants that have worked in other parts of country, and we don’t have to follow a conventional process. We can be out of the box,” Reuter said.

“We don’t wanna go down the same road of growth that we’ve seen in so many places in America.”
6AM City In-house

Click here to have your event featured.

Today, Jan. 13
  • Jeff Leeson | Friday, Jan. 13-Sunday, Jan. 15 | Various times | The Comedy Catch at the Choo Choo, 29 Station St., Chattanooga | $19-$22 | For over 23 years, Jeff Leeson has been astonishing crowds across North America with his off-the-cuff, improvisational style.
  • WSLR Presents: Oh Jeremiah + Nicholas Edward Williams | Friday, Jan. 13 | 8 p.m. | The Woodshop, 5500 St. Elmo Ave., Chattanooga | $15-$20 | Husband and wife duo Oh Jeremiah returns to Chattanooga to perform with special guest Nicholas Edward Williams.
Saturday, Jan. 14
  • MLK Service Days at the Farm | Saturday, Jan. 14 + Monday, Jan. 16 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | Head to Crabtree Farms on MLK Day or the Saturday before to volunteer with field work support and maintenance, community garden maintenance, and upkeep.
  • Polar Plunge Fun Run | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lula Lake Land Trust, 5000 Lula Lake Rd., Lookout Mountain | $50 | Come out for the one day of the year when the public can swim in Lula Lake — it may just be a bit cold.
  • Mortgage and Homebuying 101 | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 12:30-2 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | This class breaks down the homebuying process, explains the ins and outs of mortgages and loan programs, and equips you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the housing industry.
Sunday, Jan. 15
  • Artful Yoga with Michael Weger | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 1:30-3 p.m. | Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View Ave., Chattanooga | $5 | Enjoy an art-inspired yoga practice with instructor Michael Weger.
Monday, Jan. 16
  • 53rd Annual MLK Parade and March | Monday, Jan. 16 | 1 p.m. | Miller Park, 928 Market St., Chattanooga | Free | Join the Unity Group of Chattanooga’s MLK Day parade and march along MLK Boulevard to Peeples Street.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather
  • 42º | Cloudy | 20% chance of rain ☁️
Holiday
  • The Department of Public Works’ city offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Residential solid waste + recycling will be collected as regularly scheduled.
  • CARTA’s fixed route + shuttle services will operate on Saturday schedules on Monday, Jan. 16 in observance of MLK Day. The CARTA Care-a-Van will operate on a regular schedule. 🚌
Civic
  • The pause on short-term vacation rentals in Chattanooga has been extended through March 1 by Hamilton County commissioners. The extension aims to establish “a more thorough set of ground rules for rentals” and build a stronger permitting process. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Community
  • Hamilton County has experienced several cases of mail theft, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. HCSO has offered several safety tips to reduce stolen mail and packages + residents can also sign up for specific times to receive packages online. (The Pulse)
Health
  • The Hamilton County Health Department is offering free COVID-19 Rapid-Antigen home test kits + PCR test kits at several locations. Members of the community can pick up their tests Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Erlanger’s LIFE FORCE has become the first air medical team in Tennessee to offer high flow oxygen therapy to patients during air medical transports. This practice helps reduce the need for invasive ventilation + reduces strain on the body.
Arts
  • The Orange Grove Center is currently searching for artists to display work in its space. Artists can visit the center on Thursday, Jan. 26 from 5-7 p.m. to view the space, sketch, find inspiration, and ask questions — up to three artists will be chosen + receive a $500 stipend. 🖼️
Noogan
  • Hamilton County Schools Deputy Superintendent Dr. Sonia Stewart was selected to join this year’s Future Chiefs by the Chiefs for Change organization. Members participate in an 18-month program of collective learning about issues that are central to effective leadership and more.
Correction
  • Yesterday, we shared the news of the city’s first public, outdoor pickleball courts to open this spring at Batter’s Place. We mistakenly said the courts were located in East Ridge, but Batter’s Place is actually located in East Brainerd. 🏓
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TGI-Friday the 13th

Celebrate Friday the 13th in Chattanooga
NOOGAtoday: black cat
It may just be your lucky day to find a new cat friend. | Photo by Pixabay
Watch out for ladders and black cats in your path today, Chattanooga. It’s officially Friday the 13th, commonly known as the most unlucky day of the year. We won’t see another until October, so here are some ways to make your own luck today.
  • Get inked. Look out for Friday the 13th tattoo deals from several local shops like Philosophy Tattoo, Main Line Tattoo, and Studio 222 — all of which are offering flash tat deals today.
  • Hit up a local haunt. Searching for a thrill? Try a ghost tour around town with Chattanooga Ghost Tours, or read up on (allegedly) haunted local lore — Pitty Pat Hollow, a haunted hotel room, and Old Green Eyes.
  • Check out a show. Dress up for a Friday the 13th inspired EDM night at Wanderlinger.
  • Adopt a furry friend. If you’re feline lucky, may we suggest adopting a black cat? These traditionally unlucky pets may be just who you need to cross paths with today. Check out Naughty Cat Cafe to find your new family member.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brianna.

Editor’s pick: I am so sad that I just now learned that it’s fast food week over at Cashew. Luckily, though, I haven’t missed out on the Big Mac and Crunchwrap specials being served today and tomorrow, respectively.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Play “Would You Rather?” with us.
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Editorial: Brianna Williams, Kristen Templeton, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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