News Summary
A developer has halted plans for a significant 190-acre mixed-use development in East Chattanooga, designed to include approximately $800 million in new housing. Michael Kenner, of Miken Development, withdrew his rezoning request due to community opposition, leaving local residents and officials surprised. Known as Doolittle Farms, the project aimed to incorporate the ‘agrihood’ concept but faced scrutiny and delays, signaling a growing challenge between development ambitions and community desires.
Chattanooga Developer Halts Major Mixed-Use Project Amid Community Pushback
A developer has withdrawn plans for a major 190-acre mixed-use development in East Chattanooga, a project projected to include approximately $800 million in new housing. The developer, Michael Kenner, retracted his rezoning request during a recent Planning Commission meeting, leaving local residents and officials surprised.
Kenner, who heads Miken Development, opted not to comment on the reasons behind his decision when approached by the Planning Commission Chairman, Ethan Collier. The development, known as Doolittle Farms, had been under scrutiny, facing significant neighborhood opposition accompanied by several months of delays.
Project Details and Community Feedback
Doolittle Farms was designed to incorporate the “agrihood” concept, aiming to blend farms and gardens into residential neighborhoods. This approach intended to provide a rural ambiance and local food sources to the community. Despite the ambitious vision, the project site was characterized by steep slopes, which warranted a phased development strategy according to landscape architect Kyle Jacobson.
Kim Kenner’s team had sought to rezone several parcels from existing R-1, R-2, and C-2 classifications to CMU-1 zoning, which would have allowed for a diverse range of housing options along with commercial spaces. To gauge local needs, three community meetings were held, which indicated a demand for mixed-scale commercial offerings and diverse housing types throughout the East Chattanooga area.
The proposed development site was strategically located at the intersections of Leeann Circle, Doolittle Street, and Garner Road, potentially transforming the landscape of the neighborhood. However, the ongoing opposition from the community appears to have played a crucial role in the developer’s decision to withdraw.
Other Developments in the Area
In contrast to the halted Doolittle Farms project, Tucker Baptist Church has received approval to expand its planned senior housing development on North Moore Road. Originally limited in scope, the church aims to increase its housing units to 82 in order to provide better services to clients in need of affordable housing.
Initially, Tucker Baptist had not intended for its project to exceed three stories in height; however, after two years of attempting to secure tax credits while grappling with funding challenges, the church is now pursuing alternative financing options to meet the growing demand for affordable senior housing in the region.
Officials from the mayor’s office, including Chris Anderson, have commended the church’s proactive approach to addressing affordable housing initiatives. They have also encouraged other religious organizations with available land to consider similar developments aimed at serving community needs.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of the Doolittle Farms development marks a significant turn in the planning and approval process for East Chattanooga, highlighting the challenges of balancing community desires with development ambitions. As local leaders continue to explore viable housing solutions, the outcomes of projects like Tucker Baptist’s expansion may provide valuable insights into the future landscape of affordable housing in the area.
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Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: Developer Proposing Up to $800 Million in New Housing
- Wikipedia: Mixed-use development
- Times Free Press: East Chattanooga Housing Proposal Gets Two Approvals
- Google Search: East Chattanooga housing development
- Times Free Press: 6 Years After Groundbreaking, East Ridge Still Waiting
- Google Scholar: Affordable housing Chattanooga
- Times Free Press: Up to 4 Restaurant Concepts, Apartments Planned
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Affordable housing
