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| Phillip Fleenor | |
Staff File Photo by Danielle Moore/Chattanooga Times Free Press
Hamilton County planners are calling for CHA's Fairmount Apartments to be zoned for townhomes, requiring a lower population density.
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency recommended Monday that Fairmount Avenue Apartments be rezoned for townhomes or patio homes.
Based on a study done by the agency, "the zoning will be more in keeping with the surrounding residential character," said Greg Haynes, a member of the Planning Agency.
The Chattanooga Housing Authority owns the North Chattanooga complex and wants to spend $4.2 million to tear down the current buildings and rebuild 36 units that are environmentally friendly and energy efficient. But if the rezoning goes through, the project will be "dead in the water," CHA's Executive Director Betsy McCright said.
The planning agency's recommendation for rezoning now goes to the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission for a vote on whether to accept the lesser zoning.
Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield, a vocal opponent of the proposed renovation, asked the planning commision to wait 30 days before voting. He said that would allow the CHA, the complex's residents and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which gave CHA the $4.2 million grant for renovations, to discuss options for the site.
HUD could not be reached for comment Monday.
CHA officials had planned to tear down the 28 units currently at Fairmount Avenue Apartments and build 36 units that would include walking trails, shade trees and solar panel roofs.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Chattanooga Housing Authority's next meeting is scheduled at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 23 in the CHA offices at 801 N. Holtzclaw Ave.
But if the zoning is reduced to townhomes, the housing authority said it may have to return the $4.2 million, CHA officials have said.
CHA officials have said they may simply renovate the existing apartments at Fairmount rather than rebuilding them, even though they won't be able to use the HUD money to do it.
Mr. Littlefield said receiving grant money is not reason to renovate the apartments and increase density in the area from 28 units to 36. He said the plan is a bad decision that could impact neighborhood residents for a lifetime.
Several Fairmount Avenue residents have complained that the streets are too narrow to accommodate a 36-unit apartment complex.
CHA officials said their goal is to provide housing to low-income residents. More affordable housing is needed, officials said, and Fairmount Avenue Apartments is the only place north of the Tennessee River that has public housing.
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This is NOT the place to put a public housing project. It lacks the proper sized street to access it and it is far from public transit, grocery stores or places of employment.
Just because some bureaucrats in Washington, DC saw fit to send the CHA some more borrowed money (the Feds are broke---remember?) that doesn't mean they have to try and find a way to spend it regardless of the consequences to the neighborhood or to the future occupants of this housing project.
Send the money back.
I'm glad the mayor is on to the scam that the CHA is trying to pull here. He got this one right. I'm glad he and the council are trying to end this mess and do hope that the CHA will be more discerning in the future about what is appropriate for this city and its citizens.