A public hearing about a proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinance brought a big crowd of Lookout Mountain, Ga. residents who for the most part spoke in opposition.
Mayor David Bennett said that in 2009, consultant Phil Walker worked with the city to develop a master plan. It was never formally adopted, but the plan has been used as a guide for the creation of the new Town Center and for other future development plans. A comprehensive plan has not yet been developed. When the council made the decision to move forward with building the municipal buildings for the Town Center, other ideas were created, he said. One was the creation of an area for higher density residential property, which had been suggested by Mr. Walker.
The town’s planning commission was charged with creating the ordinance for the town center, now the part of town with the highest density. The planning commission decided to make an ordinance that would cover the entire city so there would be no need to go through the process again. It was created for no specific property, and included some different conditions for the northern and southern districts of the city. In most of Fairyland the density is three houses per acre, with a lot size of around 15,000 square feet. In the new PUD, the maximum density of eight homes was recommended per flat acre, which creates lots of around 5,500 square feet. About 40 percent of the city remains undeveloped. A number of conditions and requirements were intentionally left vague so as not to scare off developers, said Kevin Leckenby who is on the commission.
Most of the concerns came from residents, many who live in the Fort Trace neighborhood which is adjacent to the "old Simms property," the most likely location for the PUD to be used. Many said they had moved to the mountain because it is quiet and to be away from high density areas. They feared that an increase in density of their neighborhood would change the quality of life they now enjoy. The council was asked to eliminate the vagueness in the ordinance as proposed, and to state conditions and requirements. Increases of traffic on Fort Trace and on Ochs Highway, the main road up the mountain to the Georgia town, are seen as problems. Storm water runoff caused by bedrock near the surface and the sloping terrain, failure of infrastructure such as the sewer system and roads, slope collapse and stressing the ecology on the mountain were some of the other issues cited by the citizens. Also, worried several speakers, a significant increase in students might exceed the capacity of Fairyland Elementary School.
At the council meeting following the public hearing, more discussion took place regarding a PUD ordinance. Councilman Arch Willingham listed points in the ordinance that he would like to change, and the other council members agreed. He would like the PUD to be restricted to a single area surrounding the Town Center. PUDs would not be allowed elsewhere in the town. The conditions and regulations should be consistent with the proposed comprehensive plan. Duplexes, triplexes or any multiplex structures would not be allowed. The buildings should be single family houses and the land under it would be owned by the individual home owner. The maximum building height would be two stories.
Councilman Jim Sabourin said that the goal is not to create an ordinance "that’s not going to hurt the community, but to create something to make it better." But, he said, we need to jump-start some development and to foster some growth in a smart way. Council person Caroline Williams said that community engagement is needed in order to know what is wanted. Mayor David Bennett told the residents that the council was listening and wants to do the right thing. More discussion and a vote on the PUD ordinance will be at the next council meeting on April 12.
The council decided to create a new position for an adviser to builders as plans are being put together. This will let a builder know that the concept of their project is valid before spending a lot of time and money, only to find out that something is not permitted in the town.
Councilwoman Caroline Williams reported that the play Gulliver’s Travels in Space will be performed Friday and Saturday and it is open to the community. The Aquaponics project is getting ready to begin and now materials are being sourced. The target is for the building to be ready by the start of the next school year. The PTO is putting on a picnic for families on March 16. Kindergarten registration begins April 10 and Pre-K registration will continue until March 30. She said that early registration is important so class sizes can be planned. The baseball parade will take place April 14, from Fairyland School to The Commons. Rick Dockery will be honored by the dedication of the T Ball Field in his name.
Commissioner Watson is working with the Lookout Mountain,Tn. Police Department to get potholes on Ochs Highway fixed. The bad condition of the road has caused flat tires resulting in wrecks. She encourages all residents to call 311 and ask the city of Chattanooga to fill pot holes from the 100 block of Ochs to the Georgia state line. She also reported that police officers will periodically visit the school to interact with the kids and familiarize them with police. An officer will be stationed to monitor traffic in the school zone after classes begins each day. "You will be stopped if you’re speeding through a school zone," she said.
Mayor Bennett is partnering with Covenant College to develop a plan to help the city communicate with the residents. The first part of the plan will be to collect contact information from residents when the yearly car decals are purchased.