Navigating Development in Our Neighborhood
Here is what we have learned from a year of navigating and paying attention to development in our neighborhood! Hope it helps you all.
An example rezoning notice
How do we learn about Zoning or Alley Change Requests?
Recently the NCNA Responsible Growth Team has been engaged in helping neighbors respond to the yellow "change in zoning or alley" notification signs that are posted 30 days in advance of a decision by the City. Many times we have had to scramble to learn about what the zoning or alley use change entailed, pull together impacted neighbors or interested parties, and engage with the developer or the city to share concerns and try to have the request modified or dropped. We have attended the Regional Planning Authority meetings where we can speak to any opposition or ways to address our concerns with their projects.
Some recent efforts in our neighborhood:
Development request by GreenTech for 14 homes on Franklin St and assuming rights to the never opened Ann Street. We worked with the developer and the city to address the challenges, and the result is now a plan to develop 7 street facing homes, with a conservation easement on the back portion of the property, which is a wooded steep slope.
On Normal Avenue, neighbors were instrumental in documenting the opposition to the 4th rezoning request to reduce the property setbacks on a small, unusually shaped lot and were successful in having this rezoning rejected by the city.
Here is what we have learned that might be helpful to you if you have questions about development in your part of the neighborhood:
Building in Chattanooga
Property owners in Chattanooga have a lot of flexibility to develop or modify their property to suit their needs, as long as it meets current building codes and zoning requirements. They submit their project scope to the city, and the city conducts a comprehensive review, which can include:
Does it meet current zoning requirements for that property? If not, will they request a zoning change?
Are there storm water concerns for the planned development?
What is the vehicular access plan for the property?
Is it approved by the Fire/Safety organization to ensure access to residents from named roads, and ability of rescue vehicles to navigate the adjacent roads?
Does it request change of use for existing closed or opened alley ways? If so, will they submit an "alley use change request"?
North Chattanooga Architectural Design Requirements
In North Chattanooga, we do not have architectural design standards in place. If the building permit follows zoning and building codes, they are free to build the design they choose. Over the years, all types of property design (single family, multi-family, commercial office, shops and restaurants) have been built or improved. A previous homeowners' association decided against having design restrictions in this neighborhood, resulting in all varieties of uses and design styles overtime. We have evolved into a very eclectic and interesting neighborhood!
How to Formally Support or Oppose Rezoning Cases (including Alley use changes)
Citizens can submit written support or opposition utilizing the RPA's (Regional Planning Authority) public comment form (https://chcrpa.org/public-input/#pubInput) by emailing rezoning@chattanooga.gov, or in-person at the RPA office at 1250 Market Street, Suite 2000. Please provide name and address for the record. The Staff accepts written opposition ahead of the meeting up until the end of the day Friday before the Planning Commission hearing. The Staff will compile the comments and forward to the Planning Commission ahead of the meeting.
Also, the cases and agenda for each month are posted https://chcrpa.org/zoning-subdivisions/agendas-case-information-2/
Citizens are also welcome to attend the Planning Commission hearing (see schedule and location below) to speak in opposition to a case. The opposition is given a total of 9 minutes to speak on a case (i.e., if 20 community members show up in opposition they are given 9 minutes total to speak).
If you'd like to learn more about development in North Chattanooga, please let us know. The Responsible Growth team is focused on helping residents engage in a timely manner when there are zoning or alley change requests. We want to work together to address neighborhood opposition or concerns. Having our neighbors involved leads to better outcomes across our neighborhood.
Diane O’Sullivan and Alex Close (Co-Leads - Responsible Growth Committee)
Investing Locally This Giving Tuesday
This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to invest in our amazing North Chattanooga community by supporting local initiatives that make a difference.
Consider purchasing hats, stickers, or T-shirts from the North Chattanooga Neighborhood Association to help fund our efforts to improve Sylvan Park.
You can also contribute directly to our Sylvan Park revitalization campaign through the Green Spaces Initiative, or consider asking your employer to participate as a sponsor of one of our new park components or sponsoring in honor of someone important in your life!
Sylvan Park Sponsorship opportunities. Your business or family name will be honored on park signage for your sponsorship!
3. Your time is just as valuable—volunteer with our "Welcome to the Block" program to greet new neighbors. Sign up here!
4. Or join the "Play Streets" Initiative to create safe and fun spaces for kids and adults to build community. Sign up here!
5. Additionally, you can support families in our local school community by donating food and clothing. Drop items at the Normal Park Upper or Lower School, or you can put them in the tupperware bin on the porch at 1022 Normal Avenue.
Food Items Needed: Mac and Cheese, both the box and the microwavable; Canned veggies, fruits, and soups; Individually wrapped breakfast bars, granola bars, etc.; Snack items, gummy snacks, cracker packs; Fruit cups and apple sauce; Cereal boxes, both large and individual sized; Ramen; Peanut Butter both large jars and small individual ones; Pasta noodles and Sauces; Jugs of water
Clothing Items Needed: new girls black or grey leggings or joggers with a drawstring pants size small (6x), size medium (7/8), size large (10/12) and size x-large (14/16)
6. You can also lend a hand by clearing covered or overgrown sidewalks (or reporting them via 311) to help keep our neighborhood more pedestrian-friendly.
7. Support our local businesses who pour so much into our community. Get food from Tremont Tavern after they were impacted by a car accident this week. Purchase books from The Book & Cover (It might cost a dollar or two more, but they provide so many free community programs!). Schedule a haircut at Hair A Go Go or Geno’s Salon. Purchase local art from Amy Packer, Marian J. King or In Town Gallery.
Every act of generosity helps strengthen our neighborhood and build a more connected, caring community!
PLAN Chattanooga: Opportunity to Review and Provide Feedback
Plan Chattanooga's Upcoming Informational Meetings
Plan Chattanooga is a “comprehensive plan” for the city. It provides for the first time in Chattanooga’s history a planning framework equal to our peer cities in the U.S. The plan outlines growth challenges and infrastructure needs over a 20-year planning horizon and strategies for implementation. It is organized into a citywide framework with shared goals, policies, and concepts, and eight area chapters.
Join the RPA for an overview of the draft citywide and area plans for the City of Chattanooga. This is an opportunity to see the highlights of the draft plan and ask questions.
Please register for the upcoming virtual meetings at the links below. The same information will be shared at both meetings.
We also have the option to go to the open house for a citywide overview of the plan with an opportunity to break into area specific conversation with staff and consultants.
Monday, October 28th
Chattanooga Public Library
Downtown Branch, Fourth Floor
Open House: 5:00-7:30 pm
Presentation: 6:00 pm
The draft of Plan Chattanooga is available for review. Help ensure the plan contains policies and actions that are important to you.
Responsible Growth - Trees
Charlie Mix, Michael Strok, and Kurt Martig joined us on August 22nd to share about initiatives around Chattanooga related to protecting our urban forest (and why we would want to). We learned about the impact of the Take Root Chattanooga Project and the many future impacts of this Urban Forestry Grant, as well as how the NCNA can get involved.
Charlie Mix, Michael Strok, and Kurt Martig joined us on August 22nd to share about initiatives around Chattanooga related to protecting our urban forest (and why we would want to). We learned about the impact of the Take Root Chattanooga Project and the many future impacts of this Urban Forestry Grant, as well as how the NCNA can get involved.
Ross Bailey, a NCNA member and owner of the local business Hovi Hats, has offered to create hats representing the Chattanooga Tree Collective, an arm of NCNA that will support efforts city-wide to plant and protect trees. All profits from hat sales will go to tree planting initiatives, beginning with the Rotary Tree Initiative.
GIS mapping has shown that between 1984 and 2021 Chattanooga lost 43% of our urban forest canopy. This leads to increased heat islands and decreased buffers for storm water run off, biodiversity, air quality and sense of place.
Sylvan Park Revamp
We are underway with plans to revamp Sylvan Park. The Parks Department has brought sheep from Wild Violet Permaculture to work on getting the understory more manageable so that we can address future goals.
Several members of our NCNA Green Spaces Initiative met with representatives from the Parks Department to discuss a vision for the future of Sylvan Park Bird Sanctuary. We discussed our desire for the space to remain wild and a sanctuary for all of our neighbors — human, birds and other living creatures.
The sheep from Wild Violet Permaculture are a first step so that we can get a sense for the best uses for the space. With the invasive species (like kudzu, poison ivy and more) remediated, we are hoping to add more sitting spots along the path. Also, since there are no sidewalks leading to the park, we are hoping to build a path that will connect the park to Colville Street along the city’s easement under the power lines. Additionally, we hope to add a picnic table and a few other features.