Proposed Apison development causes nearby residents to voice disapproval

The proposed layout of a new commercial/residential area in Apison at 10330 East Brainerd Road. (From: Regional Planning Agency)

APISON, Tenn. (WDEF)- Rapid growth and growing backlash has become a recurring theme in Hamilton County.

The latest such example is in Apison.

When you get past Ooltewah-Ringgold Road along East Brainerd Road, there is not much in the way of commercial development in the Apison community.

A proposal for new commercial space along East Brainerd Road across from the Magnolia Farms neighborhood was not met with high fanfare from nearby residents.

Terri Noll, an Apison resident, said, “There is zero community support for this. There is zero community support for this. We collected over 250 signatures of residents who oppose the commercial aspect of this and also there’s been no demand. I’ve never heard a single person say, “Gee, I wish I had a strip center in Apison.”  Or anything else for that matter commercial except maybe a gas station that has been mentioned a few times.”

Right now in the entirety of Apison there is only one traffic light which is t at East Brainerd Road and Bentwood Cove Drive.

This is located right in front of Apison Elementary School and East Hamilton Middle School which would be just a block up from this potential commercial development.

Residents say they’re already concerned about the amount of traffic that exists and how much more this development would bring in if approved.

Resident Sherry Bales said, “In the morning whenever I try to pull out of my driveway, I sit, and I sit, and sit because there’s a hundred cars, and no one will let me out of my driveway.”

Resident Laura Ellis added, “It’s a precedent for creating another very congested East Brainerd Road, Ringgold Road, Brainerd Road, Rossville Boulevard, you choose it. That’s what’s happening.”

The developer, Pratt and Associates, say it isn’t their intention to build another supermarket as a Publix and Food City are just five minutes down the road.

Ian Blackmore, who represents Pratt, said, “Publix was mentioned. The Publix says they have all the amenities they would need, all the commercial space. In five years that will be completely filled out, leased, whatever. These would then be supplementary businesses to that whom are not in that area.”

Commissioners seemed split, as the issue of new development continues to be a hot button topic.

Commissioner Joe Graham in particular recalled the debate over the Walmart Neighborhood Market in Middle Valley.

Commissioner Graham recalled a woman told him, “I’m the lady who was sitting on the front row opposing this Walmart,” and specifically was calling me all kinds of names. And understandably she was upset about the Walmart. But she told me she said, “I wear a hat and glasses, but I shop in that Walmart almost every day.”

The Hamilton County Commission did not approve the commercial aspect of that development, only the residential portion.

However, due to one member being absent and the vote ending in a 5-5 tie, the vote on the commercial portion is eligible to be revoted on.