District 3 City Councilman Pam Ladd has set a Dec. 17 public meeting at City Hall on the "Chattanooga Village" project in Hixson.
She said the meeting was called "in an effort to present the most recent plans and provide information and gather public input" on the $100 million development off of Highway 153 near Corridor J.
She stated, “We have heard a lot of information about this project and a lot of misinformation. I want to provide an opportunity for citizens to discuss this project in a civil and orderly manner.”
She said of the 5:30 p.m. session, "Rules of decorum will be established and followed."
Meanwhile, developer Duane Horton and two national land planners he has brought in met with citizens at the Hixson Community Center on Tuesday night. It was a far smaller and less boisterous crowd than met a number of months ago at the North River Civic Center.
The first plan for the project was withdrawn before going for a vote of the City Council. The plan was redrafted with the help of the national experts, and it passed the Planning Commission on Monday. It goes before the City Council on Jan. 8.
A leader of the opposition at the opening of the meeting sparred with developer Horton over an alleged lack of input that the citizens have had and about "rushing" the project.
Another opponent, Jerry Jones, called it "a fixed fraudulent deal," but he said he wanted to hear from the experts.
Rick Hart, of Bardstown, Ky., and Roland Ebert of Hart Howerton said the plan is vastly improved from the original design that was withdrawn at the City Council. They said the first plan would have called for major excavation of hillsides, but the current plan leaves the hills intact. Apartments are layered up and down the hillsides and the "village" with retail and office is clustered in the center.
He said the retail portion will need to be 90 percent leased before it is on go. He said he expects the 480 apartments to fill up within a year. The corporate offices, he said, will not be "spec" built, but will be designed to specific tenants.
He said the entire building footprint is now 750,000 square feet, which is less than 10 percent of the 190-acre site at Boy Scout Road and Highway 153.
The initial plan had all the parking at surface level, but the new plan uses three-story parking structures.
Officials said steps will be taken to decrease water runoff from the site and to collect it in ponds or slow it using porous paving and below-grade catchment areas. A hydrology firm has not yet been hired.
They said an effort will be made to leave as many trees as possible. Mr. Ebert said, "The more trees you leave the more value and character your project can have." The other expert said, "Why knock down a great tree and put up something that's two inches?" He said he expects there will be a tree survey with large old trees marked to be saved.
He said there will be connections between the three areas of the villages, including pathways that sometimes meander away from roadways to create more interest.
Mr. Horton said there will be a master association created for the entire site.
He said he plans to meet tough standards imposed for the development. He said the group has made "black tie" promises and "if we don't show up at the door in a black tie, they (city building officials) won't let us in."
Property owner Jack Lonas attended and, when asked if a deferral is possible, said he wants the issue voted on Jan. 8.
Also present was Robin Derryberry, whose public relations firm has been hired for the project. She said a Facebook page will give information on the project and take suggestions for improvements.