A plan for new homes near the upscale Hampton Creek neighborhood was approved by a planning panel Monday, but a proposal for more residences in the subdivision was put off for 60 days.
Rezoning of a vacant Snow Hill Road tract from A-1 agricultural to R-1 single family for 43 new homes won the OK of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission over opposition from an attorney representing some nearby homeowners.
The property at 7620 Snow Hill Road sits across the street from Hampton Creek but abuts The Ooltewah Club golf course which runs on both sides of the road.
The 15-acre tract, owned by golf course owner Rick Stern, is green space and proposed to hold 43 new single family residences, according to the panel's staff.
Mike Price of MAP Engineers, representing Stern, said the rezoning is in keeping with existing zoning in the area.
He said there have been numerous meetings, emails and phone calls with residents. Some 21 emails are in support of the change while 126 residents have signed an online petition favoring the project, Price said.
But Chattanooga attorney John Anderson, representing 30 property owners in the area, said the 43 residences are "a significant increase in density."
He said the green space has been "relied upon" by the neighborhood, adding there's already "significant flooding issues," and he asked the panel to deny the rezoning.
The planning commission approved the rezoning and a special permit related to the project, which its staff had recommended.
However, Anderson said he objected to the manner in which the panel took up the matter. He said the planning commission aggregated the cases and "short-changed the opposition."
Later, Price asked to defer two other cases relating to 10 proposed new home sites in the nearby Hampton Creek neighborhood that Stern wants to create.
Price said the site of the 10 proposed lots is an overflow parking area and held green space.
Some neighbors have said they worry about increased traffic, safety and flooding issues and that existing property values will be hurt.
Steve Ray, who lives in the neighborhood, said earlier that flooding in the past has cut off the one entrance and exit of the subdivision.
"This is going to add to water woes," he said.
Price asked for a 60-day delay because he's trying to work with the fire department concerning another suitable access point to the neighborhood. Plans are to bring the proposal back after talking with the neighborhood, he said.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.