City Council members indicated on Tuesday, following another lively public hearing on the new Form Based Code, that they will seek additional parking requirements and citizen input for the new process that replaces traditional zoning.
Garnet Chapin asked for more time. The current schedule has the council voting next Tuesday on first reading and the following Tuesday on second and final reading. He said, "I support Form Based Code. But we've got to get it right."
He added, "We've got all the time in the world. We're building the city of the future."
Councilman Chris Anderson said he plans amendments to bolster parking requirements and to limit building heights along the 100 and 200 blocks of Cherry Street to four stories. Izzy Wise, owner of the site occupied by Buffalo Wild Wings, and owners of the Sitar Indian Cuisine want six stories.
Councilman Chip Henderson also said that the current provision allowing developers to have parking as far away as a quarter mile is not acceptable.
Councilwoman Carol Berz said she wants to ensure there is public involvement and citizen interaction with developers at the front end of Form Based Code projects.
Dr. Robert Drake of Forrest Avenue said he has concerns about "the over-centralization of decision making" and "a very closed decision-making process."
Officials said there will be a nine-member board that will be involved in some appeals. The board will be able to allow an additional story on new projects.
Councilman Henderson said, "Many people feel that community input is being taken away." He said if an appeals board adds a story to a building "that could be a big deal in some instances."
Mr. Chapin, an architect, said the code should include "some guarantee of design and building quality." He also said there should be "mandated community involvement." He stated, "The parking requirement is too low."
Franklin McCallie said local residents should have adequate parking and visitors "should be able to enter and leave the city with some ease."
Teresa McCallie said many developers are from out of town and they often make high profits on Chattanooga profits. She said, "They should not be allowed to profit off the backs of all other citizens."
Helen Burns Sharp recommended a requirement of one parking space per residential unit created.
Cynthia Watson said, "To have no parking in the core we think is crazy."
However, Heidi Hefferlin, another designer, said current parking requirements are adequate. She said there is no parking requirement in the current C-3 zoning that she said has allowed a splurge of downtown development.
She said the city should work on other parking solutions, including construction of garages.
Several speakers said there should be additional bicycle parking.