The City Council on Tuesday night approved a $21 million project at the business district of historic St. Elmo, though one speaker said it went against the history and beauty of the community at the base of Lookout Mountain.
Claudia Pullen plans to build a mixed-use development that includes four-story buildings between the 1885 restaurant building and the Tap Room building, as well as another four-story section at the current SunTrust branch bank site. The latter tract is to include a hotel and parking garage.
Ben Berry, engineer on the project, said it will be a "great extension of the existing business district."
He said, "We really feel this is the right direction for this area."
Tim McDonald said he did not oppose the zoning move to UGC for mixed use, but he said he did have concerns about additional traffic, which he said "is pretty much a nightmare at times."
Megan Spooner said many residents feel the height "is an eyesore" and that it was "not in character at all" with the rest of St. Elmo.
Mr. Berry said the project is eliminating four existing driveways. He said traffic to the parking garage would be mainly routed along St. Elmo Avenue rather than the busier Tennessee Avenue.
Chairman Erskine Oglesby said there were "mixed" feelings from the community about the project that will be designed by local architect Bob Franklin.
He said St. Elmo residents felt strongly in favor of UGC, and he said the project "will bring a lot of pedestrian traffic as well as small shops. I believe it will bring great things for St. Elmo and the surrounding area."
Mr. Berry said there will be pass through areas between the two main streets, including one where a large drainage pipe will be moved. He said the existing pipe earlier collapsed near the bank, causing a "sinkhole."
Another challenge for the project is a large billboard behind the 1885 building. He said that part will be the last portion of the multi-year development.