EAST BRAINERD (WDEF) Are there too many people already living along Shallowford Road near the mall?
And, will new development overload the storm water system?
Or, will new technology deal with those issues and provide much-needed new housing units?
When developers put-up their money and there's a demand for goods, services or housing---it carries a lot of weight with public officials.
Such is the case here in the 7600 block of Shallowford road.
TDK Construction wants to develop an apartment complex of 262 units on 14 acres to be called "The Landing at Ashwood".
It's a 26 million dollar project, but the Planning Commission has yet to sign off on it.
ROSS BRADLEY, MARCH 11, 2013, TDK CONSTRUCTION "We're working diligently to try to address the neighbors' concerns..we feel like they certainly have some valid things we want to address."
The proposal brought immediate resistance at the March 11th meeting.
GREG VITAL, PRES., MORNING POINTE ASSISTED LIVING "My main concern is about light pollution..noise pollution and the high density next to an assisted living and alzheimers center."
Henry Hoss and his neighbors in Ashwood developed their own plans for that area.
HENRY HOSS, HOMEOWNER "There's 262 units being planned there...that kind of density is just too much for that particular street..we would like for it to be single family homes."
In addition to the density question....18 units to the acre, there's the ever-present question of flooding caused by heavy rains.
Shallowford Road has seen some heavy flooding.
BILL PAYNE. CHATTANOOGA CITY ENGINEER "The intent behind the standards is to control what would be normal rainfall. To put it in percentages..the standards requires them to control it for 96% of the storms that are going to happen ..But there are those few that come through."
TDK proposes an underground retention system for its project.
The city county planning commission has given the developer a month, until the April meeting,to work out the details.
Construction work on Shallowford Road from Gunbarrel to Jenkins is scheduled for completion next September.
