Chattanooga Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency seeks community input to develop a downtown code

photo John Bridger, head of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Authority

The Chattanooga Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency wants to lead Chattanooga residents and developers in establishing a new form-based code for downtown buildings.

Instead of single-story buildings like Applebee's or Buffalo Wild Wings, planners want to discuss more buildings like The Big Chill or Jack's Alley, with multiple levels that could accommodate commercial and residential use.

"In downtown, square footage space really does matter in trying to get the most you can out of a space," RPA Executive Director John Bridger said Wednesday before a meeting to discuss downtown codes.

Hundreds of people packed the Bessie Smith Cultural Center for the meeting. A community charrette -- a series of meetings with a variety of discussion modes -- is scheduled for March 7-12.

A downtown code change is one of the recommendations that came from Mayor Andy Berke's Chattanooga Forward initiative.

If adopted, the new downtown code would affect five neighborhoods including the North Shore, Riverfront, City Center, M.L. King neighborhood and the Southside.

Multistory rather than single-level buildings would allow for better walking space, more economic value and potential housing, said Bridger.

The RPA will partner with a consultant team led by Code Studio of Austin, Texas, and get input from residents, property owners and developers to create a code that reflects a more urban Chattanooga.

The current zoning codes were developed back in the 1970s and some parts of downtown are still zoned for manufacturing. So every time there is a zoning case, planners have to attach three or four pages of conditions that developers must meet.

Several developers already have built or renovated buildings that fit the desired urban standard but there is no code to ensure consistency, said Bridger.

"You can take that for so long, but if every time you have a zoning case you've got to make that many conditions, it's time to change the zoning code," said Bridger.

Code Studio principal Lee Einsweiler, who was present at the meeting, said, "There are ideas embedded in your planning that are not embedded in your code."

Main Street area resident Harry Hartman, who also attended the meeting, said he wants more downtown residences.

"We need more work-live spaces to get more people living in the area and supporting businesses like the Grocery Bar," said Hartman. "Our little area is not going to support it. We're going to need some more people."

Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman atyputman@timesfreepress.com or 757-6431.

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