Commissioners float creating new planning agency separate from RPA

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Some Hamilton County commissioners raised the idea Wednesday of whether or not the county should stay in the Regional Planning Agency.

This comes in the wake of recent deferrals of Plan Hamilton, an effort led by the RPA to develop a blueprint to future growth in unincorporated areas of Hamilton County.

This has come under much scrutiny from residents, especially those in the Ooltewah and Harrison areas.

Currently, Hamilton County pays over nine hundred thousand dollars a year to be in the RPA alongside the city of Chattanooga.

Commissioner Gene-O Shipley in particular questioned if the county should consider changing course.

“The question I’m asking is why Hamilton County does not have its own planning commission?… You have people voting on issues that have no idea where roads are out in this county,” said Shipley.

A committee of residents is currently being assembled as Plan Hamilton is on hold.