Chattanooga planners, by a 7-5 vote, on Monday approved a controversial proposal for affordable housing for seniors across from Brainerd High School.
Greater Tucker Missionary Baptist Church sought rezoning of an adjacent 3-acre parcel on North Moore Road from the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission for the project estimated at $12 million to $15 million.
"We're aware Chattanooga has a major shortage of affordable housing," Greater Tucker Missionary Baptist Pastor Gary Hathaway said at a meeting of the panel. "We have a mandate to help those who are less fortunate."
But a dozen or so nearby residents showed up to oppose the project, claiming the three-story structure that would hold 63 units doesn't fit the primarily single-family neighborhood around the parcel.
Arcie Reeves said many people who live in the area want it to stay single-family residential.
"Also, they're worried about three stories," she told the panel.
Another opponent said at the meeting an affordable housing development wouldn't bring value to the neighborhood. Also, he worried about a curve on North Moore Road near the site bringing a traffic issue.
Still another critic was concerned about people with low incomes moving into the senior housing, preferring development that would attract residents making higher incomes.
Commission Chairman Ethan Collier said he thought the language was "discriminatory," and that the panel can't make decisions based on such evaluations.
"If we made a decision based on income, I'm pretty sure we'd be in violation of state law," he said.
Chattanooga City Councilman Darrin Ledford, who also serves on the planning panel, said he didn't like the tone of the criticism about the proposal.
"This is breaking my heart right now," he said.
Panel member Chris Anderson said he shared Ledford's disappointment. He cited Mayor Tim Kelly's recent initiative for $100 million in new affordable housing within five years.
Former City Court Judge Walter Williams, using a walker to get to a microphone to address the commission, said he favored the project.
"I know we need affordable housing because the housing we see is not affordable," he said.
But panel member Justin Holland said he was concerned about putting a three-story project "in someone's backyard."
"They've invested in the neighborhood," he said about people who lived in the area. Holland praised the church pastor but said affordable housing ought to look like the rest of the neighborhood.
With conditions put on the project by planning commission staff, the panel gave narrow approval. The proposal still must go before the City Council for the final OK.
Donna Williams, a consultant on the project, said in an earlier phone interview that the facility is aimed at people at least 55 years old and earning less than 60% of the area median income, or making less than $30,000 annually, she said.
Rents are expected to range from $600 to $700 monthly but could go lower depending on a person's income, Williams said.
The proposal originally called for 79 units, according to a site plan submitted to the Regional Planning Agency. But Williams said the number was revised downward based on a city density requirement.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.