New rules presented for Signal subdivisions

After years of preparation, the Signal Mountain Planning Commission presented the new subdivision regulations to the public March 12.

According to the presentation given by Town Councilwoman and Planning Commissioner Annette Allen, the new subdivision regulations are meant to address all concerns of stakeholders while going hand-in-hand with the Land Use Plan created with the help of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency in 2008.

The new model of regulations promotes "conservation subdivisions," which make it easier for developers to protect natural resources and conserve land while reducing developers' costs, municipal maintenance costs and still allowing for design flexibility, said Allen. Even with the land conservation component of the new regulations, developers can still create the same number of lots they would have been able to with the original conventional subdivision regulations, she said.

"We've heard loud and clear that we don't want to increase density and to conserve as much land as possible," said Planning Commission Chair Wayne Williams.

However, said Allen, according to the new model, if a developer still opts for a conventional subdivision over the conservation subdivision, they would only be able to build half as many lots, or half the normal yield, than they would with a conservation subdivision model. In effect, this further incentivizes developers to conserve more land in their developments.

The Planning Commission based the new regulations off of a model created by Tennessee state planner Ron Cooper and merged the best of the town's already existing regulations with it, said Allen. The Commission then researched, revised, reviewed and tested the regulations over the five-plus years since first undertaking the update.

The new regulations for a conservation subdivision require that 25 percent of land in a development area must be preserved, according to the public presentation at the new regulations' unveiling. In addition, street width in the town has been reduced, steep slopes protected and sidewalks are required only on one side of the street.

Questions came from resident and property owner Tom Baird as to who should decide the use of the 25 percent of conserved property. He said he thinks it should be up to that specific neighborhood instead of the Planning Commission.

"Bring forward other ideas for conserved space or submit a [planned unit development] if there is a good reason for it," said Williams.

"It would be cheaper for the home ownership association to maintain if [the required conserved space] were left in its natural state," noted Allen.

To view the presentation made by Allen in its entirety or to read through the most recently revised draft of regulations, visit signalmountaintn.gov.

The new subdivision regulations will be voted on by the Planning Commission April 4. Allen said any comments or suggestions from residents of the town should be sent into Town Hall or members of the Planning Commission by March 29, and there will also be another opportunity to voice opinions at the public hearing that will take place directly before the vote

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