The City Council is considering an ordinance on development of steep slopes and floodplains that is not as limiting to developers as an earlier plan.
A measure that was discussed in November would limit development of slopes of 33 percent grade or more to 20 percent of those steep grades.
It would allow no more than 51 percent of a floodplain to be developed.
A number of developers came out strongly against the measure, while a number of citizens expressed concern about increasing development of the city's hillsides, especially in North Chattanooga.
The new proposal makes no mention of a limit of development on steep slopes and flood plains, but requires more stringent runoff controls at those locations.
It says where the slope is 35 percent or more that runoff must be cut by 10 percent.
The same would be required in lowlands.
Officials earlier said Nashville, with a much flatter topography than Chattanooga, declares that parcels with a slope of 25 percent or more are "critical lots" and must be kept as open space.