Oakridger
An Oak Ridge city board is sending the proposed new zoning district for amusement parks, zoos and motorsports parks to City Council, but with one change protecting the Black Oak Ridge Conservation Easement with a wider setback.
Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission approved the Special Recreation District zoning category on Thursday for the second time, conducting a re-vote for technical reasons. Planning Commissioner Phil Yager made the motion, although he later voted against it. Planning Commissioner Greta Ownby seconded.
There’s still more steps to go before the district is added to the city’s zoning code, if it is added. For that to happen, City Council will next need to approve the change to the zoning codes.
Special Recreation District returns for vote
Oakridger
The Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission will consider a Special Recreation District at its 5:30 p.m. business meeting on Thursday, Feb. 18.
The meeting will be virtual-only. Access to view the live stream can be found at: oakridgetn.gov/online/streaming. Citizens are now able to register to speak on a particular agenda item during the meeting.
The district proposal was in response to a proposal by developer H.E. “Rusty” Bittle to create a motorsports park in west Oak Ridge.
However, adding the Special Recreation District to the zoning code as proposed will not immediately allow for the motorsports park. It would instead allow for land owners to ask city officials to rezone parcels of land for Special Recreation Districts on any 25 acre parcel of land in the city. Then, Planning Commission and City Council could vote on it.