Mike Price

The final portion of a planned $100 million commercial and residential development near Interstate 75 in Summit was OK'd Monday by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission.

The panel approved plans for two hotels and two restaurants last month but deferred a 216-unit apartment complex until Monday when it signed off on a blueprint with a set of 11 conditions.

The plans now will go before the Hamilton County Commission.

Mike Price of MAP Engineers said developers met with area residents and created a list of conditions with which everyone is happy.

"This assures the quality discussed is achieved and maintained," he said.

The conditions include landscaping requirements, exterior appearance, types of materials used and amenities at the complex.

Bobby Addison, who lives near the proposed 8000 and 8004 Old Lee Highway and 4830 Blue Bell Ave. development, told the Planning Commission he and other area residents have no objection as long as the conditions are met.

Some residents expressed concerns at last month's meeting about potential traffic problems because of the roughly 3,200 McKee Foods employees who typically use Apison Pike-Old Lee Highway on their way to and from work.

County Commissioner Bill Hullander, who also is on the planning panel, said an additional condition is that developers meet with a traffic engineer to determine how best to direct traffic in and out of the development.

Acceleration and deceleration lanes may need to be included, Mr. Hullander said.

The residential portion of the development is in a portion of property being considered for annexation by the county. Mr. Price said it will not affect the property other than to increase property taxes.

The County Commission will decide this month whether to accept plans for the commercial portion of the development. A meeting is scheduled for Nov. 18.

The developer hasn't identified the hotels or restaurants yet.