A developer of controversial new housing proposed for a St. Elmo steep slope says he expects to tweak his design and try again to gain approval from a Chattanooga historic zoning panel.
Jason Craven, who is overseeing the proposed project on Tennessee Avenue for Watchtower Investments, said he sees a decision by the zoning panel this week to defer action on his request as "a win."
"We have clear guidelines," he said after a hour-and-a-half meeting before the Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission in which the panel offered suggestions to the development group.
Opponents to that house, and two other residences proposed for adjoining lots near Tennessee Avenue and 42nd Street, said they'd rather have seen the panel deny the zoning request outright.
"I'd prefer a denial," said Tim McDonald, who lives near the vacant tracts and is among stiff opposition put up by the neighborhood. "I don't think it's compatible. I don't think the scale is right."
Last month, Watchtower won the zoning panel's OK for one house on an adjacent lot and then lost another case for a separate residence nearby.
But earlier this week, the commission heard plans for the third house at 4190 Tennessee Ave.
"We've tailored the home into the topography," Craven said. "Massing of the house has dropped substantially in footprint."
But Jim Peterman, another opponent, told the panel the proposed house "seems to be a radical departure" to Tennessee Avenue.
"It's radically incompatible with the historic streetscape," he said.
Another neighbor complained about the size of a two-story garage in the rear and a breezeway that ties that structure to the house.
Crisler Torrence, the Community Association of Historic St. Elmo's vice president, said the developer has met with that group for the past two months to explain the housing proposals.
Torrence said that 89 people were opposed, four were in favor.
"The community appreciates the downsized scale," he said earlier this week at the zoning meeting. "There are certain features that don't fit the [commission] guidelines."
Sally Krebs, another St. Elmo resident, said Watchtower is pushing the limits of the guidelines.
"The guidelines and the character of St. Elmo are being eroded away," she said.
Craven said he's looking at the community concerns and trying to mitigate them.
At the meeting, he turned to the people who had spoken to the commission against the proposal and told them, "We hear you."
"We are hearing and continue to listen to you," he said.
Due to the slope, Craven said the lots are difficult to develop.
"We're doing massive engineering," he said.
Panel members discussed several aspects of the design of the house, with one saying she didn't feel comfortable with the second story on the garage.
Also, there was a request if the front of the house could be more in line with the residence next door that was earlier approved, and if the garage could not be attached to the house.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.