Construction tileDespite a slight dip in new local home construction of late, builders are confident the market is growing and improving, made partially evident by over 200 new home lots up for early approval at Monday's planning commission meeting.
The bulk of the proposed new lots are divided among three developers: Southern Land Co., Wall Construction Co. and Goodwin Southern Properties.
Southern Land Co. is seeking preliminary approval to plat out 98 lots in the Black Creek Mountain community at the foot of Aetna Mountain.
Black Creek is one of Chattanooga's largest on-going housing developments. Nashville-based Southern Land Co. took over the project in April and announced that this new, 90-plus home section called The Ridges was the first thing on their agenda.
The company will ask planning commissioners to green light the 98-lot plat request for The Ridges at Monday's meeting.
Goodwin Southern Properties, meanwhile, is seeking preliminary approval to go ahead with development on a 43-lot development at The Preserves at Savannah Bay at Monday's meeting. Goodwin Southern Properties is based in Ringgold.
The Preserves development will be off Kittrell Lane and Savannah Hills Drive, near Savannah Bay east of Harrison Bay. The development will be near The Champions Club at Hampton Creek golf course.
Wall Construction, of Harrison, is seeking the go-ahead Monday to plat out 56 acres for a subdivision to be built sometime in the future off Igou Gap Road, between Gunbarrel Road and Morris Hill Road.
Terry Wall, owner of the company, said Friday there's not an immediate deadline or time frame for construction of the subdivision.
Wall said he has felt the local housing market blip.
"It's been a slow period the last two or three months," he said.
Still, he's planning ahead by getting approval for the new lots, which won't require action for two years.
"I'm not up against it like I was years ago," said the veteran builder on Friday.
Despite the current hiccup in home sales -- blamed by some on the sheer lack of new houses -- many involved in local housing continue to see brighter days ahead.
"We're seeing developments at various stages coming on line in our community," said Gina Sakich, owner of Signature Brokers, on Friday.
Sakich has marketed several developments, including Prarie Pass, The Cove at Kinsey, Woodcrest, Majestic Hills and Stanton Southside.
Sakich said the influx of workers to Volkswagen and area Volkswagen suppliers has Realtors excited about what the housing market holds.
"Southeast Tennessee is enjoying the addition of these companies and the families who are locating to the area," she said. "The impact is more dollars for schools and support for our community's infrastructure, which in turn, will lead to even more quality developments."
Sakich said high-end home resales "are also enjoying a very healthy ride" and she predicts that will continue into 2015.
Contact staff writer Alex Green at agreen@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6480.