Preceding the meeting of the Walden Board of Mayor and Aldermen on March 11, 2025, a public hearing on a special permit (res.2025-620) requested by James Garner for opening an old easement to three parcels of land near Wilson Avenue and Center Street raised questions. The issue was sent back to the Walden Planning Commission for more input. At direction of the mayor, communication with neighbors about such potential changes should be improved.
For the Walden town meeting, Mayor Lee Davis, Vice-mayor Lizzy Schmidt and Alderwoman Angela Cassidy constituted the quorum. Town attorney Sam Elliott was in attendance. Minutes from the February meeting were approved.
HCSD Deputy Chad Faulkner reported 138 calls for service, 47 traffic stops, 10 arrests, 11 assists to other agencies, 11 traffic crashes, and three home watches. For WRES, Bill Thornton reported 35 emergency calls, 15 medical calls, 12 fire responses, seven aids to citizens, and one mountain rescue. Town manager Mariah Prescott said the Town’s financial position is on track; she noted that $7,000 was spent on rock salt. In unfinished business, Carson Wheeler presented bids for road striping and recessed reflectors. Superior Striping was awarded a contract for $291,000.
Hannah Lynch announced the Walden Environmental Committee is selling 50-gallon Ivy Rain Barrels. Information is on the Town website, www.waldentn.gov. Mary Aho stated the committee is working with EPB to make changes to Walden streetlights in support of the February 2023 Dark Skies initiative. Town officials approved the committee’s request to draft a DarkSky Ordinance for consideration by the Walden Planning Commission. Karen Stone, representing the Walden’s Ridge Civic League, invited everyone to Tell It on the Mountain storytelling on April 4. A volunteer appreciation dinner is scheduled for Thursday, April 17, at 5 p.m. preceding the quarterly membership meeting at 7 p.m.
Resolution 2025-621 passed, placing a moratorium on preliminary plats and building permits in the Town Center zones until the Design Review Standards are completed, most likely until the September town meeting. All resolutions passed or to be considered are posted on the Town website. Mayor Davis reappointed Tom Bartoo and Tim Hivers to the Walden Planning Commission.
Alderwoman Angela Cassidy proposed a celebration of Walden’s 50th anniversary and asked for Town support. The board approved the date of September 20, as well as preliminary ideas of a commemorative pamphlet, event promotion, and a dinner with music and skit. Cassidy was authorized to form a committee and proceed with plans.
A discussion on potential subdivision regulation amendments by Walden Planning Commission regarding public sewer and decentralized wastewater systems concluded that standards of installation and criteria for monitoring these systems should be codified and adopted by the Town. The State of Tennessee and Hamilton County are modifying their standards, and those could serve as models. The Town officials will have the final approval of wastewater operators by special permit in the Walden Zoning Ordinance.
Public Hearing on Zoning Change
Immediately following the town meeting, a public hearing began on ordinance 2025-376 to amend the official Walden zoning map for a parcel (2315 Taft Highway) from R-1 residential to TC-R Town Center residential. (https://www.waldentn.gov/town-hall/pages/live-streaming-recorded-meetings) At least 15 people spoke in favor of, or in opposition to, the zoning change during the public hearing, and all present were given opportunities to make their positions known. Letters and emails arriving before the hearing were also considered.
After all public comments were heard, a special called meeting was called to order, and Mayor Lee Davis, Vice-mayor Lizzy Schmidt and Alderwoman Angela Cassidy constituted the quorum. Town attorney Sam Elliott was in attendance. The three discussed the proposed ordinance, all taking time to explain their positions thoroughly and to ask questions of one another and of the Town attorney. The ordinance passed with Mayor Davis and Vice-mayor Schmidt voting in favor and Alderwoman Cassidy voting against.
The rezoning application will have a final reading at the next town meeting on April 8 at 6:30 p.m. No concrete plans for buildings or land use have been presented or approved. The owner, Bill Raines, may now proceed with further research, testing, and proposals for development in accord with Walden zoning, subdivision, and design guidelines. (Also see resolution 2025-621 above.)
W Road cleanup is Sunday, April 6. Volunteers should meet at McCoy Farm & Gardens at 8 a.m. The fiscal year budget workshop is April 17 at 3 p.m. It is open to the public. The next meeting of the Walden Board of Mayor and Aldermen is Tuesday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m.
For the Walden town meeting, Mayor Lee Davis, Vice-mayor Lizzy Schmidt and Alderwoman Angela Cassidy constituted the quorum. Town attorney Sam Elliott was in attendance. Minutes from the February meeting were approved.
HCSD Deputy Chad Faulkner reported 138 calls for service, 47 traffic stops, 10 arrests, 11 assists to other agencies, 11 traffic crashes, and three home watches. For WRES, Bill Thornton reported 35 emergency calls, 15 medical calls, 12 fire responses, seven aids to citizens, and one mountain rescue. Town manager Mariah Prescott said the Town’s financial position is on track; she noted that $7,000 was spent on rock salt. In unfinished business, Carson Wheeler presented bids for road striping and recessed reflectors. Superior Striping was awarded a contract for $291,000.
Hannah Lynch announced the Walden Environmental Committee is selling 50-gallon Ivy Rain Barrels. Information is on the Town website, www.waldentn.gov. Mary Aho stated the committee is working with EPB to make changes to Walden streetlights in support of the February 2023 Dark Skies initiative. Town officials approved the committee’s request to draft a DarkSky Ordinance for consideration by the Walden Planning Commission. Karen Stone, representing the Walden’s Ridge Civic League, invited everyone to Tell It on the Mountain storytelling on April 4. A volunteer appreciation dinner is scheduled for Thursday, April 17, at 5 p.m. preceding the quarterly membership meeting at 7 p.m.
Resolution 2025-621 passed, placing a moratorium on preliminary plats and building permits in the Town Center zones until the Design Review Standards are completed, most likely until the September town meeting. All resolutions passed or to be considered are posted on the Town website. Mayor Davis reappointed Tom Bartoo and Tim Hivers to the Walden Planning Commission.
Alderwoman Angela Cassidy proposed a celebration of Walden’s 50th anniversary and asked for Town support. The board approved the date of September 20, as well as preliminary ideas of a commemorative pamphlet, event promotion, and a dinner with music and skit. Cassidy was authorized to form a committee and proceed with plans.
A discussion on potential subdivision regulation amendments by Walden Planning Commission regarding public sewer and decentralized wastewater systems concluded that standards of installation and criteria for monitoring these systems should be codified and adopted by the Town. The State of Tennessee and Hamilton County are modifying their standards, and those could serve as models. The Town officials will have the final approval of wastewater operators by special permit in the Walden Zoning Ordinance.
Public Hearing on Zoning Change
Immediately following the town meeting, a public hearing began on ordinance 2025-376 to amend the official Walden zoning map for a parcel (2315 Taft Highway) from R-1 residential to TC-R Town Center residential. (https://www.waldentn.gov/town-hall/pages/live-streaming-recorded-meetings) At least 15 people spoke in favor of, or in opposition to, the zoning change during the public hearing, and all present were given opportunities to make their positions known. Letters and emails arriving before the hearing were also considered.
After all public comments were heard, a special called meeting was called to order, and Mayor Lee Davis, Vice-mayor Lizzy Schmidt and Alderwoman Angela Cassidy constituted the quorum. Town attorney Sam Elliott was in attendance. The three discussed the proposed ordinance, all taking time to explain their positions thoroughly and to ask questions of one another and of the Town attorney. The ordinance passed with Mayor Davis and Vice-mayor Schmidt voting in favor and Alderwoman Cassidy voting against.
The rezoning application will have a final reading at the next town meeting on April 8 at 6:30 p.m. No concrete plans for buildings or land use have been presented or approved. The owner, Bill Raines, may now proceed with further research, testing, and proposals for development in accord with Walden zoning, subdivision, and design guidelines. (Also see resolution 2025-621 above.)
W Road cleanup is Sunday, April 6. Volunteers should meet at McCoy Farm & Gardens at 8 a.m. The fiscal year budget workshop is April 17 at 3 p.m. It is open to the public. The next meeting of the Walden Board of Mayor and Aldermen is Tuesday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m.
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