Plan Hamilton, have you heard of it? This is a plan for growth and development for unincorporated Hamilton County recently unveiled by RPA and the county commissioners. Initially when the plan was in the start-up phase, residents were told they would have input on development of this plan. That was back in January 2023.
Fast forward to September 2024, Sept. 26 to be exact. A meeting was held for the residents of District 9, by RPA representatives, along with Commissioners Eversole and Highlander. The intent of the meeting was to give residents a chance to review the draft plan and give input. Similar meetings were held throughout the county for residents of other districts about the same time.
The residents of Harrison and Birchwood gave their input, the message was loud and clear. The newly developed plan was showing too much development, with no improvements to the existing Infrastructure. No one wants irresponsible over development in their community; residents do not want to end up looking like a big city. People choose to live in rural areas, away from city life, because that is their preference. Residents in unincorporated Hamilton County want to keep the land, with little to no commercial development.
The Harrison/Birchwood crowd was so large and gave so many suggestions for improvements to the plan, RPA representatives and county commissioners present agreed to review all input and suggestions they received. They announced there would be a follow-up meeting for residents to review the revisions made to the plan, which would incorporate all that was discussed during the meeting. A follow-up meeting has not happened.
What has happened is Resolution 1024-37. A Resolution to amend Hamilton County Zoning Regulations to Amend Article II and add a New P-R Parks and Recreation District and Amend Article VI Special Permits by Hamilton County Commission to add Rural Retreat. This Resolution was introduced to the Agenda Session Commission Meeting on Sept. 11. What I find confusing is this is the same concept that was introduced to area residents at the Sept. 26 meeting as a “Place Type” on the Proposed Plan, an idea for the future. However, the Resolution is clearly set as a new zone and will be voted on at the regular Hamilton County Commission meeting on Oct. 16. It went from a proposed Place Type/concept, to a new zoning law as Resolution 1024-37, just like that.
RR zoning will allow developers to add up to a 5-story hotel, restaurants, shops, conference centers, event halls, marinas, RV camping, and mini-marts. In other words, commercial zoning in rural areas. This is not the will of the people living in unincorporated Hamilton County; this is not what they requested at the meeting. Why has this particular Place Type been carved out of the overall Proposed Plan, and why is it being rushed to a vote? It’s bad enough that this plan has been developed under wraps without the promised public input over the past 19 months.
The Commission has indicated a vote to adopt the plan will take place before the end of the year. If that is true, public input is not being considered. However, today the big question is why has this concept been carved out and is it to be put in place ahead of the overall plan? What is the hurry?
I urge all residents of unincorporated Hamilton County to contact your commissioner and ask them to vote No on Resolution 1024-37. We need to know all the facts before new laws are passed that will forever impact our community.
Cathy Faulkner
Harrison, TN
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Last week during the public comment time, I spoke for a few minutes about Resolution No. 1024-36, asking that the Commission reconsider passing the amended ADU zoning, aka Granny Flats, which does not consider increased density. ADUs are a bad urban design solution. We can't keep tucking more people into neighborhoods without counting the extra people and cars on the road.
After I finished speaking, Jeff Eversole publicly called me out by name and accused me of being wrong when I mentioned that the commission was not listening to its constituents. I later spoke to Eversole in the hall and clarified my statement. I told him that while he may be listening to his constituents, the commission as a whole is not.
Imagine my surprise this morning when I read an opinion piece in The Chattanoogan, which directly references Eversole and states, "The Commission has indicated a vote to adopt the plan will take place before the end of the year. If that is true, public input is not being considered."
I am asking the Hamilton County Commission to please consider holding off on these types of rezoning votes until after the Plan Hamilton plan has been passed. The community has not been involved in open discussions, lots of people in our area have family members who are affected by Helene and Milton and it's fall break and many people are on vacation. What is the rush?
Rebecca Howard