Neighbors say their battle against Ooltewah Subdivision is not finished

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) – Neighbors of a proposed Ooltewah subdivision say that the project should not move forward.

We have covered a litany of new subdivisions being constructed in Ooltewah over the past few months, and the proposed Nature’s Cove subdivision on Bell Mill Road fits into that mold.

A map showing the future neighborhood and how it relates to a floodplain.

However, there is a potential flooding issue that neighbors say separates this one from other zoning disputes.

Neighbor Gary Boles said, “This plat has over 16 acres in the floodway. It currently shows about 60 homes with substantial portions in the 100-year floodplain.”

Residents who voiced their disapproval say they feel like the Regional Planning Agency is ignoring their concerns about the proposed Nature’s Cove Subdivision.

Neighbor Joe Dana told the Commission, “Whatever you have done, for how many years, does not make it right, and you’ll find out at the courthouse whether you were right or wrong.”

Boles added, “I just think this whole process is ridiculous.”

One of the main concerns about these developments is the main road that leads into the development.

It is a narrow two-lane road right off of Hunter Road in Ooltewah.

There are narrow shoulders on the side, and it has had a history of fatal crashes before.

A representative for the county said the road is being looked at for improvements.

However, the developer, Mike Price, spoke in front of the board and said he believes the subdivision meets all requirements.

Price said, “The community gambled and bet that if we were turned down, it wouldn’t go through, and I told them at the community meeting, and I told them at county commission we could do 200 homes by right, and we would do that.”

RPA chair Ethan Collier says there’s not much they can do in these situations.

He told the neighbors, “We don’t necessarily argue your comment, the reality is, that what the applicant has done is submitted a preliminary plat that meets every single regulation that we have in the state of Tennessee and in Hamilton County, and if they submit a plat that meets our regulations, then we approve it.”

Boles and his neighbors say they are seeking legal action against the developer.

The RPA did approve the project to go in front of the Hamilton County Commission for a final vote.