Join Us for NCNA Clean Up Day – Hyper Local Impact!
Feeling like you want to make a difference but don’t know where to start? Look hyper local. Join us for NCNA Clean Up Day on April 5, 2025, starting at Frances B. Wyatt Community Center. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with neighbors, beautify our streets, and celebrate our hard work with a neighborhood potluck!
Feeling like you want to make a difference but don’t know where to start? Look hyper local. Join us for NCNA Clean Up Day on April 5, 2025, starting at Frances B. Wyatt Community Center. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with neighbors, beautify our streets, and celebrate our hard work with a neighborhood potluck!
Why Join NCNA Clean Up Day?
We love our community, and this event is a chance to show it! A cleaner neighborhood benefits everyone—it boosts our quality of life, brings people together, and fosters local pride.
Event Details
Date: April 5, 2025
Time: 10 AM-1:30 PM
Location: Frances B. Wyatt Community Center @ 406 Colville Street
Schedule:
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Neighborhood Clean-Up
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Potluck Lunch
We’ll provide the trash bags, gloves, and even flower seeds to add some extra beauty to our streets. All you need to bring is comfortable clothes, a water bottle, and some friends and family to make it even more fun.
Stay for the Potluck!
After a productive morning, let’s celebrate with a potluck lunch at the small building near the playground. Sign up for a dish here.
Spread the word! We’ll see you on April 5th.
Tennessee Smart Yards
Hope you can join us April 17th at 6 p.m. to learn more about Tennessee Smart Yards!
Please join us at 6 p.m. on April 16th at North Chattanooga Community Center (406 May Street) for a joint presentation for the NCNA and Hill City neighborhood association. Laurie Michell and Ann Brown will be presenting on the Tennessee Smart Yards program. Tennessee Smart Yards is a program from the University of Tennessee Extension that guides and assists homeowners and neighborhood associations on practices they can apply in their outdoor spaces to create healthier and more sustainable living spaces and communities. The program is a cooperative with TVA and the Tennessee Water Resources Research Center.
The program guides the homeowner through the 9 fundamental principles to sustainability. Some examples of the 9 principles are watering efficiently, providing for wildlife, and reducing storm water run off and its pollutants.The homeowner doesn’t have to be an expert gardener or landscaper to create and certify a Tennessee Smart Yard. With the guidance from the Tennessee Smart Yard handbook and educational videos, the 9 principles are attainable for the homeowner. Both HCNA and NCNA residents have shown that they are very conscientious of the environment, and we are confident that they will be interested in becoming a Tennessee Smart Yard.
In addition to smart yards, the University of Tennessee also has a program for your communities to become a Tennessee Smart Yard Community. The program has three categories to reach the community, Education, Stewardship, and Connection. They will discuss this program at their presentation as well.
The event will include information about Tennessee Smart Yards, and they will also have a table at the NCNA Earth Day celebration April 5th. Hope you can join us!
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)
Sylvan Park Update: 42% of funding raised!
Update on our fundraising efforts for Sylvan Park!
Preliminary design for Sylvan Park Improvements
As of today, thanks to the generosity of many neighbors, we have raised 42% of the estimated funds needed for our partnership with the Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors to reclaim the Sylvan Park Bird Sanctuary. We have raised these funds through the sale of NCNA merchandise and through the generosity of multiple smaller donations to the park, and the bulk of the fundraising has come through the support of our sponsors.
An overview of sponsorship opportunities:
New Path Sponsor: The Campbell and Wallace Families
The Campbell and Wallace families are sponsoring a path from the existing path through the woods to the new park entrance on Noll Street, which will be recognized on a sign at the entrance.
New Picnic Table Sponsor: $2,500
1 available
You will be sponsoring a new picnic table, which will be recognized with a plaque on the table, where neighbors will enjoy relaxing in the park with a picnic.
New Sitting Spot Sponsor: $2,000
3 available, 1 sponsored by an anonymous donor
You will be sponsoring one of the new sitting spots / benches that will be spread throughout the newly revitalized park, and your support will be recognized with a plaque on the table. These seats are essential for any park visitor to be able to enjoy the bird sanctuary and natural beauty of this quiet and reflective space.
New Waste Receptacle Sponsor: $500
2 available, 2 sponsored by the Wright-Payne family and the Hunter family
You will be sponsoring one of the new waste receptacles in the park, and your support will be recognized on a park sign. These receptacles are essential for keeping our revitalized park litter-free and providing a place to put pet waste.
New Welcome Sign Sponsor: $400
2 available, 1 sponsored by Sally and Andy Michaud
You will be sponsoring one of our new park welcome signs, which we will be installing one at each of the three new and clarified entrances to the park to welcome visitors and increase the visibility of the park
New Educational Sign Sponsor: $200
4 available, 2 sponsored by the Taylor family and in memory of Angie and Austin Poole
You will be sponsoring one of our new educational signs around the park that will share interpretative touch points, directing visitors to the natural space, as well as to the history of those who have inhabited this place before us.
Sylvan Park on our recent snow day!
If you are interested in one of the remaining sponsorships, please complete this form and purchase your sponsorship here.
As the weather allows, Wise Construction will be donating labor and the use of their equipment to clear the path from Colville Street to Sylvan Park. We are applying for a variety of grants with the hopes of hiring the Southeast Conservation Corps to install the other essential trail elements. If you have experience grant writing and would like to help with these efforts, please reach out to us at northchattanooganeighbors@gmail.com.
Thanks for supporting our NCNA Green Space Initiative, we look forward to seeing this park filled with children heading to play basketball at the Wyatt Community Center, urban hikers connecting from North Chattanooga to Stringer's Ridge, bird watchers observing wildlife and commuters walking safely to the many businesses at the base of Forest Avenue and more. We believe that this vision is consistent with the National Park City goals that many Chattanoogans supported when signing the charter for the National Park City initiative. Forest Avenue connects to the Walnut Street Bridge, so this will be another park option for visitors to our city who are looking for a quiet place of natural respite and adventure close to the city center. There seems to be limitless potential for all who will benefit from this park and trail.
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.
Sylvan Park Update: September
Sylvan Park draft plan incorporating NCNA Survey Feedback!
At the September NCNA meeting (9/5/2024), we heard from the Department of Parks and Outdoors regarding our first Green Spaces Initiative: Sylvan Park Revamp. For the last month, sheep have been grazing on non-native plants, helping clear the forest floor and paving the way to reemphasize native species. Most exciting, we reviewed a planning sketch that incorporates the feedback and comments collected during the GSI Survey.
Note: This draft sketch is for planning purposes only and is contingent on our shared, continued success of partners and funding.
Fundraising efforts to support this cause are underway. The next Beautification-Sustainability Committee meeting is scheduled for October 17th - 7pm at a member’s house near Sylvan (reach out for exact address if interested). We will see the latest progress in the park and discuss the individual elements involved with the private-public partnership that has been driving this initiative.
Please note: Do not feed the sheep! This can cause serious harm to the animals.