Mitch Patel, CEO of Vision HospitalityA Chattanooga developer temporarily has withdrawn a request to rezone a downtown lot for a hotel near the south end of the Walnut Street Bridge.
"It's been withdrawn for the moment," said Andrew Hibbard of Vision Hospitality. "We're weighing our options."
Hibbard wouldn't say why, but the action comes in the wake of concerns expressed by a downtown homeowners group.
Helen Burns Sharp, a representative for the Downtown Owners Collective, said nearby neighbors went on record as opposing the zoning change. She cited concerns including opening up the site to general commercial zoning and no neighborhood meeting on the proposal.
Documents filed with the city had indicated a Fairfield Inn by Marriott was eyed for the site.
Sharp said she later talked with Mitch Patel, CEO of Vision Hospitality, who told her that his company withdrew the zoning change application and that it will take several months to explore the concept of a high-end boutique hotel that would tie in with the Bluff View Art District.
Sharp, who lives in the Museum Bluffs Parkview condominiums near the proposed site, said in an email that there were concerns about the potential height of the original proposed building and its impact on views. In addition, she cited access to the potential hotel and traffic issues it might generate.
"Let's look at it carefully," Sharp said.
The site previously housed a number of dental and other offices.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.