With more than 355 signatures on an online petition to deny the rezoning of Hixson property slated for the Chattanooga Village development, about 200 people packed into a public meeting last week to discuss the project.
“This must be a very important issue to you,” Chattanooga City Councilwoman Pam Ladd told the audience, referring to the proposed rezoning of a large tract at the intersection of Boy Scout Road and State Route 153.
The meeting was held for members of the Regional Planning Commission to gather public input before deciding on its recommendation for the rezoning of the property to the City Council. Scenic Land Co., the project’s developers, will go before the RPA Monday, April 9 at 4 p.m.
Under its current R1 zoning, the land can be developed as residential property, said Duane Horton of Scenic Land Co. He discussed issues some area residents and organizations have had with its rezoning, such as concerns about excessive traffic, disturbing wildlife, polluting North Chickamauga Creek, flooding, increased crime and destruction of the view the 190-acre hill provides.
Horton said the property will eventually be developed, and the proposed large-scale Chattanooga Village development is preferable to piecemealing together smaller tracts with multiple curb cuts.