City ponders newspaper box ordinance

The city?s battle with Chattanooga Times Free Press over its newspaper vending box, which does not match the color scheme chosen for downtown, is now entering stage two with the drafting of a city ordinance to address the issue.

Stage one, sending a letter requesting the removal of the box, had a bucket of water thrown on it after legal council advised Mayor Royce Davenport against the action.

?They didn?t think it was a good idea, so we are going to pass an ordinance,? Davenport said.

The new ordinance, once in effect, will restrict what is allowed downtown in order to preserve the revitalization effort, which has been an expensive undertaking.

?It basically says you will conform to the existing boxes we have, or the boxes we want in the downtown area,? said Public Works director Bill Brock,

Grandfathering in the existing newspaper box is a concern for some aldermen. A grandfather clause is a provision exempting people, or other entities, already engaged in an activity from rules or legislation affecting that activity. Grandfather clauses are commonly added to ordinances or legislation.

In this case, city officials say a grandfather clause is not an issue and the ordinance will include all existing boxes. All previously placed newspaper racks will have 30 days to comply.

If the box is not in compliance within that time frame, Brock can issue a notice of compliance. After receiving the notice, the box owner has seven days to comply. If compliance is not made within that time, Brock can remove the box.

The ordinance passed first reading Tuesday night and will go into effect if it passes second reading.