Though the approval of a proposed neighborhood on the Hixson Pike S Curves is essentially a done deal, a group of North Chattanooga residents vexed by the proposed development may get their wish: that it not be built.
Two dozen residents of three neighborhoods near the S Curves asked the Chattanooga City Council Tuesday to weigh in on a proposal that would add a fourth neighborhood between them all.
The Hamilton County Planning Commission in December passed a preliminary plan to allow the neighborhood, which would be dubbed River Oaks. The initial plan calls for 35 homes to be built on 14.76 acres surrounded by the Stuart Heights, Olde Towne and River Knolls neighborhoods.
Braly Place resident Joe Cofer talks about increased traffic at the already dangerous Hixson Pike intersection where a developer is planning to build more than 30 houses. The area is located off Hixson Pike at the S curves. Joe Cofer, a spokesman for the group of neighbors, told council members Tuesday if the city didn't do something it might be liable for future traffic accidents at two intersections that will be created as a result of the new development.
"We think that this is a dangerous intersection, and we think there is liability," Cofer said in reference to the existing intersection of Braly Place and Hixson Pike. Residents argue that the sight-distance issues there will be compounded by adding another road there.
The council doesn't have express authority over whether the neighborhood will be built, but Regional Planning Agency Executive Director John Bridger says the results of an upcoming RPA-bid traffic study on the effects of the proposed neighborhood could give the city reason to deny various permits on the development.
This will be the third traffic study of the area. Concerned neighbors commissioned the first, which called the development hazardous. A second was completed by the developer, Lamay Development Co. That study said there were no issues.
Bridger said the developer hasn't submitted a final plat for approval, and the results of the traffic study will determine the next steps.
Laurenne Piercy, who lives within sight of the proposed neighborhood entrance at Braly Place, said after the meeting Tuesday she was hopeful.
"I can't imagine that another study wouldn't show the same safety concerns that adding another 30-something residents to the area that ours found," Piercy said.
Larry Wells, the developer, did not attend the meeting Tuesday.
City Council is also taking a second look at the city's tax incentive program for downtown housing.
Prior to the voting meeting, the council had a lengthy educational session about what the city's housing tax incentive program does, and what it should do.
A six-person panel made up of developers, city and zoning officials and community organizers fielded questions from council members.
The session was only meant to gather information, and no votes or decisions were made.
Councilman Chris Anderson, who leads the council's Economic and Community Development Committee, said the session was "productive, it was informative, it was civil, it was everything we want from a government body."
Contact staff writer Louie Brogdon at lbrogdon@timesfreepress.com, @glbrogdoniv on Twitter or at 423-757-6481.