Despite strong neighborhood opposition, only five members of the Planning Commission voted on Monday afternoon to recommend denial of a project by developer Bassam Issa of the ANT Group on a large tract at East Brainerd Road and Ooltewah-Ringgold Road. There were eight opposed to denial.
It was later decided to defer the matter for 30 days to allow Issa to work more closely with opponents.
Several speakers said traffic is already "a nightmare" on the two two-lane roads, and they said traffic from 240 apartments would make it worse.
The vacant and undeveloped 53.9-acre site is located at 9700 East Brainerd Road.The project includes a commercial section with smaller shops as well as the upscale apartment units in two-story buildings. Mr. Issa said there would be no more than 10-12 buildings and there would be heavy landscaping and sidewalks at the $25 million project.
Mr. Issa said, without the rezoning, he still could build some 150 single-family homes at the site.
One resident said at one community meeting that the developer's son "threatened" that the site across from Bi-Lo could wind up in mobile homes. Mr. Issa denied that his son said that.
Chris Harper, citing traffic blockages a mile long, said, "This is not just a bad idea. It's irresponsible."
Architect Pat Neuhoff said that the roadway at the development would be four lanes and a traffic light with turn signals would be installed.
City Councilman Yusuf Hakeem said it appeared to him that Mr. Issa had "gone the extra mile," while residents were not making any concessions.
Bill Hullander, county trustee who lives nearby at Apison, said the zoning sign for the case is on the wrong property. He said if it was on the correct one, "You would have three times the crowd here."
Mr. Issa said he had been trying to get out the word about the project and one at the Hamilton YMCA on Shallowford Road by hiring the Derryberry PR firm.
The developer did get a recommendation of approval for a project at former YMCA property on Shallowford Road near Gunbarrel.
The plans include a grocery store as well as a retail section, which will not be immediately viewable from the road and will feature a roundabout with a center monument. The new additions will be one-story tall.