The Home Builders Association's representative recently said allowing higher density developments would use less land. But at the same time they want the new area plans to allow three per acre anywhere in Unincorporated Hamilton County if a public sewer or a decentralized sewer system is used.
Did you know that the average density of the new developments in Ooltewah is three per acre? Densities of three per acre have created urban sprawl and already consumed a lot of land. So, how would allowing three per acre everywhere consume less land?
There are over 5,000 approved housing units coming to two lane over-congested roads in Ooltewah.
And, the Home Builders and Realtors Associations want even more.
If development paid for infrastructure, as many county commissioners have claimed, then we would already have improvements by now. After 20 years of development in the Ooltewah area, there is no money for necessary road improvements.
Some roads will never be widened because it would cost too much money to purchase the land. Plus, new developments have been allowed to place homes and stormwater ponds right next to the road.
Urban Sprawl is a waste of public resources and we, the taxpayers, have to foot the bill for infrastructure improvements from the taxes we pay at the local, state and federal level. And, it takes years for infrastructure improvements to be funded and completed.
So, we the taxpayers lose an enormous amount of our time and money sitting in traffic. Our quality of life is suffering so that others can make maximum profits. Higher density belongs in the urban areas that have the infrastructure to support it.
And, did you know that other counties do NOT negotiate with Home Builders and Realtors Associations when they make their area plans? They make land use plans based on the current infrastructure and the community's vision and goals.
In other counties that have experienced urban sprawl, they have decreased densities to slow growth in rural areas. Some counties have even used moratoriums.
The Home Builders and Realtors Associations have too much influence in this county. And we the taxpayers and voters are the only ones that can change the status quo.
Currently, Hamilton County allows two housing units per acre in the Agricultural zone, which is over three times higher than the top ten fastest growing counties.
Higher density needs to be in the cities, not the rural areas!
Please contact ALL of the County Commissioners and tell them we don't want or need more developments of three per acre or more on two lane rural roads. And, please attend upcoming meetings!
We need your help to preserve rural areas in Unincorporated Hamilton County and stop urban sprawl!
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Kim Helton