A proposed 74-unit townhouse and apartment project in Hixson won approval from planners Monday over concerns that it would create traffic and safety issues.
Allen Jones of ASA Engineering said the townhomes would be built at the front of the parcel at 5246 Old Hixson Pike, with the apartments in the rear.
He also asked the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission to reject a Regional Planning Agency staff recommendation that would have cut the number of proposed units to 42.
Jones, representing developer Tuba Warden, said a planned housing development across Old Hixson Pike by Pratt & Associates received the OK from the city council recently to stay at the optimal density.
"It didn't concern the city council," he said, adding the density brings more needed housing to the municipality.
Also, he said, because the apartments are in the rear, the development won't look like that kind of a complex.
However, neighbor Cheryl Fortin said there's already a lot of traffic on the two-lane Old Hixson Pike.
"It's sort of a cut-through," she told the panel, adding that the road is curvy. "Unless the road is widened and turn lanes put in it's very dangerous."
Barb Van Allen, another nearby resident, said there's too much density for the project at 74 residences.
"I support the staff recommendation," she said.
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Jones said plans are to have one driveway for the proposed project instead of the four that now make up the property.
City Councilman Darrin Ledford asked about sidewalks, which Jones said the developer will put in on its site. Ledford also asked about construction of a deceleration lane on Old Hixson Pike.
Jones said the group will look at making that addition.
A motion was made for approving the staff recommendation for the number of units, but panel member Jason Farmer said the density sought by the developer is appropriate. He said townhomes are an affordable option as people seek new housing.
The project was approved and will go to the city council for final OK.
Warden, the project's developer, said in an interview after the meeting she envisioned a neighborhood at the 3.5-acre site. She said plans are for the parcel to hold 47 townhomes with the remainder apartments.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.