The Chattanooga City Council narrowly rejected a proposal to build a controversial apartment complex on Hunter Road, voting 5-4 against the project in front of a standing-room-only crowd Tuesday.
Council members Russell Gilbert, Carol Berz, Deborah Scott, Jack Benson and Manny Rico voted to deny rezoning for the complex. Council members Andraé McGary, Peter Murphy, Sally Robinson and Pam Ladd voted against the motion to deny the rezoning request.
“We got what we wanted,” said Mike Wilson, a spokesman for Ooltewah Citizens for Responsible Growth, the group organized against the apartments. “A tight win is better than a tight loss.”
The council in July postponed its decision on the rezoning for the a 230-unit apartment complex. Many area residents were opposed to the complex, saying it would make the winding country road more dangerous.
David McDaniel, owner of Florida-based Integra Land Co. that wanted to develop the property, said he was disappointed by the vote. In a meeting that played out much like a trial, the developers insisted it was a sound development while the opposition claimed it was “spot zoning” that would intrude on nearby residents.
“We feel Chattanooga is an excellent city to develop in,” McDaniel said. “We’re not going to build on this site. We’ll have to think about other opportunities.”
The Regional Planning Commission previously had voted against the plan.
The city annexed the proposed site in May. The council had received contradictory reports on whether the road could handle the increased traffic generated by the apartment complex.
Benson said there was too much doubt for him to support the project, but he cautioned residents, saying at some point the land will be developed. Ladd cited Benson’s caution as a reason behind her support for the request.
Wilson said the group would be willing to discuss an owner-occupied development on the site, such as a subdivision.