Planning commission defers decision on South Broad grocery

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The debate continues as developers petition the county to rezone part of South Broad for a new high end grocery store.

South Broad redevelopment has been a hot topic recently as the city and developers try to connect the bustling downtown with historic St. Elmo and Lookout Mountain.

But many of those in the area believe rezoning this land will be a big step backward.

The Hamilton County Planning Commission decided to defer its decision for up to 60 days after hearing arguments for and against the proposed high end grocery store for South Broad.

Derek Blackwood of MAP Engineers spoke in favor of changing the zoning for that district from UGC to C-2 — meaning creating more of a suburban commercial area rather than a dense urban feel.

And he believes that the developers can maintain the southside vision *with the zoning change.

“We’ve got bicycle parking and different locations where we’ve got pedestrian accessibility from the surrounding streets to promote the pedestrian activity in the area,” Blackwood said.

But that’s not enough for those opposed to the proposal.

“What we’re wanting is development in the area that promotes people moving through the community, being with their neighbors, taking advantage of the river park, rather than having a place that’s unfriendly to that kind of movement. We want development that promotes community,” said St. Elmo Resident Travis Hutchinson.

The commission deferred for 60 days in effort to give developers time to come up with a new plan that would be closer to the community’s vision.

“If that gives the developer a chance to revamp his design and figure out how to make this grocery store work within UGC, then I think it will be a good outcome,” said Chelsea Breedy-Oyer, president of the St. Elmo Neighborhood Association:

For many who spoke in opposition of the change, the issue is not what will be built on the land.

“No, none of us are against Publix. It’s just a question of how is this going to be done,” Hutchinson said.

There is a fear that the company will walk away from the site if the zoning change is not granted, but again developers now have 60 days to try and please the public.