A proposal to rezone a 61-acre East Ridge tract that could hold the city's biggest-ever planned development won initial approval from city officials on Thursday.
But the $125 million project, that has a Chattanooga Red Wolves SC soccer stadium as its centerpiece, is to face a public hearing June 27 where some residents and others are expected to raise questions about possible flooding, site access and traffic.
Marilyn Hadley, who lives near the proposed project slated for the vacant parcel at Interstate 75 and I-24, said after the meeting that she has a lot of worries.
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A public hearing on rezoning property for a proposed $125 million mixed-used development, including a 5,500-seat stadium, is slated for June 27 in East Ridge.
"It's too big a project for the area," said Hadley.
The city council endorsed the rezoning with little discussion and is expected to take up the matter again for final approval after the public hearing late this month.
Bob Martino, owner of Star Community Builders in Park City, Utah, and the USL One soccer team, wants the wooded site for the 5,500-seat stadium. The project is to include an array of restaurants, apartments, hotels, condominiums and stores on nearly 100 acres Martino plans to buy.
Hadley questioned if the giant complex would meet the city's zoning regulations concerning access.
"Since adequate frontage is not currently available to get into and out of the property utilizing major streets, it seems like rezoning could not be approved until that adequate access using major streets is in place," she said.
Hadley also is concerned about privacy in the nearby Lansdell Park neighborhood, with people possibly parking there and then walking to events at the stadium.
"A stadium that holds 5,500 people should be built at Camp Jordan," she said about the large park and open space across I-75 from the proposed site.
Council member Jacky Cagle was among the officials voting unanimously for the zoning change on first reading Thursday, but said he could change his mind after hearing from the public on June 27.
"I'll vote yes tonight," said Cagle.
He also said he had received a phone call asking if the Red Wolves were already building a road to the proposed project site.
Assistant City Manager Kenny Custer said the Hamilton County Water & Wastewater Treatment Authority was doing a "rehab project" unrelated to the proposed Red Wolves stadium.
Earlier this month at an East Ridge Planning Commission meeting, where that panel recommended rezoning the site, nearly a dozen people spoke on the project.
Sandra Kurtz, chairwoman of the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance, said flooding could be expected if the development is built on the low-lying property.
"I don't think taking away wetland is going to help," she said then.
Jeff Sikes of ASA Engineering and Consulting told the planning panel that the property is "a challenging site without a doubt," noting one third is in a floodway.
He said meetings are upcoming with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"There's a long way to go," Sikes said. But, he added, he's hopeful that at the end of the planning process, there will be more wetland on the site than there is today.
Martino's plan includes 400 apartment and condominium units, 375 hotel rooms, 475,000 square feet of commercial space including the stadium, and a network of walking and nature trails that could connect under I-75 with Camp Jordan.
The project, as proposed, would be the biggest investment ever in East Ridge and is projected to create up to 1,200 jobs and generate up to $7 million in additional tax revenue. It is located within the border zone in East Ridge, which allows the city to recapture the growth in sales tax collections within the zone and then plow those funds back into infrastructure and community assets, including the planned $6 million stadium.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.