Chattanooga Council Denied Rezoning for Entertainment Hub
Owners seeking expansion for activity-based venues in the city will face stricter scrutiny over public safety records.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Chattanooga City Council rejected a rezoning request for properties occupied by Whiskey Cowgirl and Southside Social. The decision prevents the addition of a proposed mini golf course to the site.
Why it matters
Local officials are increasingly using police call volume data as a benchmark for denying zoning changes that would increase site density or intensity. This shift forces operators to manage safety and operational behavior rigorously to secure future growth entitlements.
Police recorded 139 calls for service at the Whiskey Cowgirl and Southside Social properties during a one-year window. This accounted for a significant portion of the 531 total calls for service reported in the area between Broad, 20th, Chestnut, and Main streets.
The players
John Wise
A property developer and applicant for the denied rezoning request.
Raquetta Dotley
A Chattanooga City Councilwoman who cited public safety concerns while recommending the denial.
Whiskey Cowgirl
A commercial venue located in the Southside area of Chattanooga.
Southside Social
A commercial venue located in the Southside area of Chattanooga.
The details
The applicant, John Wise, sought to rezone the properties from Urban Commercial Mixed Use to Urban Commercial Corridor to accommodate a mini golf course and protective safety netting. Councilwoman Raquetta Dotley moved to deny the request, citing a documented history of disorders and altercations at the location. The denial effectively halts the planned expansion of the entertainment venues.
Timeline
Oct. 12, 2025 to Oct. 12, 2026: Period analyzed for police calls for service.
October 13, 2026: City Council meeting where the rezoning was denied.
Market Landscape
The council's decision reflects a growing trend of tying land-use approvals directly to public safety performance under the Chattanooga zoning classification code. This approach creates a higher barrier to entry for venue operators looking to expand their footprint in urban areas.
Operators in high-traffic entertainment districts should monitor local police call metrics, as these figures are increasingly used in public hearings to block site expansion. Proactive safety management is now a core requirement for any business seeking zoning variances.
The takeaway
Zoning approvals for entertainment expansions are increasingly contingent on external metrics like public safety call volume. Business owners should track these internal and area-specific logs to address potential opposition before a public hearing occurs.
Further reading
For more updates on local development and real estate, see Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chattanoogan.
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