A new multifamily housing option may be coming to North Palisades Drive.
At its Nov. 7 meeting, the Signal Mountain Planning Commission will review a development proposal being made by Frank Groves. The proposal, called Palisades Bluff, includes 32 condo units in five buildings on a 16.5-acre plot of land on North Palisades.
“He’s applied for a Planned Unit Development and, according to that, everything’s on the table in terms of setbacks, uses, what have you,” said Signal Mountain Town Councilwoman and Planning Commissioner Annette Allen.
The proposed project is considered a high-density residential development, but the property Groves is proposing to build it on is zoned as low-density residential, or made up of single-family homes.
Both Allen and fellow Signal Mountain Town Councilwoman and Planning Commissioner Susan Robertson said they have received emails and letters from residents who are against the proposed project. Concerns about the height of the buildings, odor of the planned on-site waste treatment system and an increase in traffic were raised, said Allen.
Groves was unavailable for comment at the time of publication, but according to Robertson and Allen, he plans to incorporate an on-site waste treatment system similar to the one being implemented by Jack Kruesi of High Acres Inc. in the recently approved development Wild Ridge at Fox Run.
Robertson added that on the other hand, some residents have expressed a wish to see Palisades Bluff approved because they want to live in it once it’s built.
“There is a perception that … there is a need for more Westfield-type homes [in the mountaintop community],” said Allen.
The town’s Land Use Plan, adopted in 2008, lists “Maintain[ing] a low residential density while incorporating diversity of housing” as a recommended principle in Section 3.2. Also listed as an objective in Section 4.2 is to “Provide a variety of housing options including higher density and attached housing in appropriate areas.”
“We have an aging population and people are tired of mowing lawns and being responsible for large dwellings,” said Robertson. “We’ve recognized this need [for multifamily housing options] and we support this kind of housing, but it has to be in the proper place. Yes, there is a need, but is this one of the right solutions? That’s the question.”
If the Planning Commission decides to recommend the Palisades Bluff development, the project will then go before the Town Council for approval or denial.
The Nov. 7 Planning Commission meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Signal Mountain Town Hall, 1111 Ridgeway Ave.