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Developer, planners, residents clash over $100 million East Brainerd project

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / The intersection of East Brainerd and Ooltewah-Ringgold roads is shown Aug. 13, 2024. A developer is seeking to build nearly 200 more homes and add commercial space in the area.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / The intersection of East Brainerd and Ooltewah-Ringgold roads is shown Aug. 13, 2024. A developer is seeking to build nearly 200 more homes and add commercial space in the area. Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / The intersection of East Brainerd and Ooltewah-Ringgold roads is shown Aug. 13, 2024. A developer is seeking to build nearly 200 more homes and add commercial space in the area.

By Mike Pare 3 min read

Hamilton County planners and some people who live near a proposed 199-home East Brainerd subdivision clashed with the developer, who also aims to build new commercial space at the site.

“We realize the area is growing, but this is not appropriate for our community,” said nearby resident Laura Ellis at a Monday meeting of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission.

(READ MORE: Hundreds of homes proposed for East Brainerd)

While the panel approved rezoning the entire 70-acre parcel at 10330 E. Brainerd Road from agricultural to residential, the developer said he will keep working to include boutique commercial space offering high-end services.

“We need to continue the conversation,” Ian Blackmore of Pratt & Associates said at the meeting. He estimated the entire project at more than $100 million when fully built out.