A Chattanooga developer proposing to build more than 220 apartments off Mountain Creek Road has withdrawn the request following backlash from the community.
Allen Jones of ASA Engineering at a Tuesday evening Chattanooga City Council meeting withdrew the request while a large group of Red Bank residents stood in opposition to the company’s plan to rezone 1145, 1149 and 1157 Mountain Creek Road to build apartments.
“We would like to request our case be withdrawn so that we can continue to work with the neighbors and figure out what the best use and the best plan can be for this community,” Jones said, adding he wishes to communicate more with neighbors and have the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency conduct a land-use study.
The land is owned by Charles Hassler and Forest Prosser, according to documents submitted to planners. Developers have said the area is appealing because it’s close to downtown and convenient for people who work in the central city.
The parcel also is near to not just Red Bank Elementary School on Mountain Creek but Red Bank middle and high schools off Morrison Springs Road.
Angela Amunetegui, a nearby resident speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, cited concerns about the environmental impact of additional developments as well as the dangers increased traffic due to more residents could pose.
“Mountain Creek Road already had traffic problems,” Amunetegui said. “Each new development is only compounding an existing issue. My neighbors and I face daily hardships just getting out of our driveways.”
Amunetegui has already lost a family pet due to the traffic, she said, adding she has also witnessed car accidents.
Brooke Bradley-King, also speaking before council members, said 240 petitions have been signed opposing the development from neighbors.
“We have no objection to the withdrawal of this application with the understanding that the land-use plan will be completed and we will have input addressing the plan for the entire corridor, not just one piece of property,” she said.
The apartments had been planned to be built on a 12.6-acre tract off Mountain Creek Road that’s currently zoned for houses.
Contact Logan Hullinger at lhullinger@timesfreepress.com or 814-319-5158. Follow him on Twitter @LoganHullinger.