The city of Soddy-Daisy is continuing to see a surge in new development, particularly in single-family homes.
The city has issued building permits for more than $10 million of construction during the 2021-22 fiscal year, City Manager Burt Johnson said by email.
The permits are for new construction, renovations and additions, such as pools on properties located all over the city, he said.
In 2019, the city issued permits for $8 million of construction, former City Manager Janice Cagle said in a 2019 interview.
"This will be the biggest growth time we've ever experienced in our city," Commissioner Gene-o Shipley said in an interview at the time.
Although most of the building permits issued over the past year were for residential projects, the city recently issued several for renovations to commercial properties such as Walmart and McDonald's, Johnson said.
Several new residential developments are under construction, including the Capetown Homes development on Ducktown Street across from Soddy Lake, where developers eventually plan to build around 30 townhomes, Johnson said.
Goose Creek is another new subdivision that will include 57 single-family homes when fully developed, he said.
Walton Global, a real estate investment and land asset management company, in November purchased 186 acres along Dallas Hollow Road and Lovell Road.
"I was told they plan to build single-family residential homes," said Johnson, who spoke with a representative from engineering consulting firm Kimley Horn doing due diligence for the project.
Johnson has not spoken with anyone from Walton Global, he said.
"We are very pleased to be involved in this property in Soddy-Daisy, and we are excited to support the continued need for quality housing in Hamilton County," Michael Viers, land manager of Tennessee at Walton Global, said in a news release.
Walton Global did not respond to an email requesting more information about the potential development.
"They are a long way from purchasing building permits," Johnson said, adding that the developer has not submitted a site plan, which must be approved by the City Commission before the developer can purchase building permits.
The property is zoned multifamily residential, which also allows for the construction single-family homes.
"We have a great community, and we have a community atmosphere, and we have wonderful programs for our kids through the Soddy-Daisy Kids Club as far as recreational sports," Mayor Steve Everett said in a phone interview, as to why he believes more people are interested in building and living in Soddy-Daisy.
The city recently made major improvements to its parks, which help attract potential residents, Everett said.
He also credits the city's waterways, hiking trails and other outdoor recreational opportunities for its popularity, along with its schools, low crime rate and community organizations such as Keep Soddy-Daisy Beautiful and the Soddy-Daisy Community Library.
"It's convenient to Chattanooga, and it's convenient to where a lot of folks work," Everett said of Soddy-Daisy. "It's nice to look out and see beautiful mountains and creeks and things like that around where you live, especially if you're working from home."
The surge in growth in single-family residential developments as well as multifamily developments, including a new apartment complex planned for the south end of the city, are also attracting attention from businesses wanting to move into the growing city, he said.
Contact Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6508. Follow her on Twitter @emcrisman.
Staff photo by Emily Crisman / A sign off of Tsati Terrace points in the direction of the Goose Creek subdivision, at the intersection of Dayton and Lee pikes in Soddy-Daisy. The subdivision will include about 57 single-family homes when fully developed.