With the project attracting concerns from neighbors, Hamilton County commissioners will next week take up a request to rezone more than 80 acres for a $135 million senior living community in Ooltewah.
Thrive Senior Living, based in Atlanta, plans to build a 447-unit neighborhood at the old Brooks Dairy Farm at 9101 Amos Road. The community would be age-restricted, and 80% of the units must be home to at least one resident age 55 or older. It would consist of duplexes, quadplexes, single-family lots and 149 units of independent, assisted and memory care living for seniors.
“There are only so many sites of that size in a well-located area with good access to churches, schools, interchanges, shopping where the families of our residents might spend their time,” Alan Moise, a partner with Thrive Senior Living, said in an interview after Wednesday’s meeting. “Our residents in this community will range from probably people in their 60s up into people in their 90s.”
(READ MORE: $135 million senior living community in Ooltewah wins rezoning from planning panel)
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency staff are recommending the County Commission deny the request, noting it proposes a housing density higher than what is recommended in the 2007 Wolftever Creek land use plan. Bryan Shults, director of development services with the planning agency, told commissioners the document is outdated, but it remains relevant until officials adopt a new plan, which is still about six months away.