In a marathon meeting with two members absent, the Hamilton County Commission failed to get a majority vote on the proposed senior tax break and the controversial rezoning of a part of Snow Hill Road.
The nearly four-hour meeting on Wednesday made no headway on the two most debated topics, with District 1 Commissioner Randy Fairbanks and District 8 Commissioner Tim Boyd absent, splitting the commission 4-3 on both issues.
Developers proposing a 453-unit development on a parcel of nearly 200 acres at 6424 Snow Hill Road – now Heritage Farms – have asked the commission to rezone the property from an agricultural to a residential zoning for low-density, single-family homes.
The proposed Ooltewah development has rallied concern from neighbors that fear traffic and neighborhood impact.
“What you choose [next week] will forever change what Snow Hill Road community will be,” Melissa Cain, owner of The Gray Dove working farm and wedding venue, which is located across Snow Hill from the proposed development site, said at last week’s public hearing. “Nothing like this is in this area. Please take that into consideration.”