Scenic Land Co. wants to rezone 190 acres for apartments, stores and offices on this property adjacent to state Highway 153 and Boy Scout Road.The Regional Planning Agency deferred approval of a residential and commercial development more than twice the size of Northgate Mall for 60 days while developers research the development's impact on the Highway 153 area.
The agency will take another look at whether the 190 acre single-family residential area should be rezoned for commercial and apartment complex development in December, when they expect the site's developer, Scenic Land Company, will have more information on traffic, stormwater, and community issues.
"There's some concerns out there," said Commission Member Adam Veron. "It's going to be a drastic project."
Before building the 280-unit apartment complex and 150 acre retail and office center near the intersection of Highway 153 and Boy Scout Road, the steep, hilly land must be leveled.
Duane Horton, president of Scenic Land Company, said he has researched the massive land moving requirements. Pending the planning agency's approval, he said he has funding lined up from investors and financial institutions, letters of intent from two apartment companies and a joint venture agreement with a large regional retailer.
"It's part of the perimeter of Chattanooga," he said. "This is an area that business would like to come into."