Hamilton County Commissioners debate on Hunter Road housing development

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County commissioners are debating freezing any new housing developments on Hunter Road. This is because they believe the road is unsafe for drivers.

“Hunter Road is, to me, one of the most dangerous roads in the county,” said Hamilton County Commissioner, Steve Highlander. “There are wrecks all the time. I take my two grandsons to Hunter Middle School and Ooltewah High School and that is about seven miles. It takes me an hour and a half in the morning to get there. ”

Commissioner Highlander has proposed holding off on all re-zoning requests along the roadway for 18 months and evaluate how to improve traffic before moving forward.

“I want to be respectful of the homebuilders and others. I have been considering holding off on this rezoning, but I thought at least we need to look at it for discussion,” Highlander said. “And if there is not enough time to study it, then I may pull it before the vote next week.”

The area is home to many housing and subdivision communities.

Gary Boles, who near Bell Mill Road and Hunter Road, says he is concerned about the rezoning.

“We are concerned about our children riding a school bus and being safe. If they have to wait at the corner of Bell Mill Road and Hunter Road… Think how busy it will be when there’s 300 people or homes on that road,” said Boles. “If they go through the rezoning, it will just be worse.”

Chattanooga-Hamilton Regional Planning Agency has scheduled a meeting on August 14.