Plans for a $6 million bed and breakfast and wedding event venue were endorsed Monday by a Chattanooga planning group over stiff opposition from neighbors.
Jennifer Petty said she's proposing to build a 7,000-square-foot, 9-unit bed and breakfast at 1929 Hixson Marina Road.
Also, Petty told the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission she wants to construct a 9,000-square-foot wedding venue on the 19-acre site. In addition, there'd be a new residential building in which she could live, she said.
"We're putting a lot of money into it to make it beautiful," Petty said, adding that about $1 million would go into outside landscaping.
However, Joe Manuel, who spoke for a large number of people who live near the proposed facility, said the special use permit sought by Petty doesn't fit the project.
"From a common sense standpoint ..., this committee is here to protect these people," he said.
Manuel was concerned about more traffic on the road.
"This is a mature, single-family neighborhood, multiple neighborhoods," he said, calling the proposed project "a mini-hotel masquerading as a bed and breakfast."
Brittany Beggs said she recently bought a house in the neighborhood and she worried about added noise. She starts work early in the morning on weekend and she was concerned the venue would disrupt her work, she said.
However, Petty said there's already a commercial property nearby with a marina at the end of the road.
She also plans to limit the time that alcohol would be served at the site. Petty said she would not build the bed and breakfast if she doesn't also receive permission for the wedding venue, which is being sought from the city's zoning appeals board.
The Planning Commission approved the special use permit. The Hamilton County Commission still must give its blessing to the permit.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.