A Chattanooga planning panel Monday approved rezoning a Glenwood house to hold a business as well as serve as a residence, despite opposition in the historic neighborhood.
Phoenix Rising Properties had sought a rezoning of the 2700 Oak St. house to R-4 Special Zone to operate a telemedicine business at the site. But the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency staff suggested O-1 Office as a better zoning to the Planning Commission.
Attorney Harry Cash, representing Phoenix Rising, said the owner of the house was "bringing it into conformity" as a business has operated there and that O-1 was acceptable. The Planning Commission endorsed that request.
However, Glenwood resident Jackie Thomas questioned the house as a business, saying people in the neighborhood don't want to see more of that use in the area.
"We'd like to preserve our community and remain residential," she said.
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Another resident cited the historic nature of Glenwood, mentioning both the Trail of Tears and the Civil War as well as the neighborhood's "unique architecture."
He said people there were "worried about the erosion of residential," terming the Oak Street location "a premiere house in the neighborhood."
Cash said a Glenwood community group held meetings in the house for a number of years, and a business had operated out of it then.
"It's been a business for some time, and the association had no problem," he said.
Cash said the city's River to Ridge Area Plan permits such a use.
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Thomas said she had talked with City Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod about the proposed zoning change. She said Coonrod "supports keeping our historic district" and didn't want increasing encroachment from businesses.
"Glenwood is a special place," Thomas said. "That's one of the most beautiful homes in our neighborhood."
Cash said the business is internet-based so there wouldn't be an increase in vehicle traffic because of its operation at the house.
The planning agency set conditions such as no dumpster service for trash pickup. It also recommended one monument sign, set back 10 feet from any property line. In addition, the staff suggested just one building sign at the site.
The staff said the rezoning request is compatible with the area plan's secondary uses along with adjacent land uses.
But Thomas said after the meeting she planned to attend a City Council meeting in January when the matter is to come before that panel for final approval.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.