Realtors, Homebuilders oppose proposal to limit growth in rural Hamilton County

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Dozens of homebuilders and realtors opposed a plan to limit growth at Wednesday’s Hamilton County Commission meeting.

One proposal would halt new construction from Ooltewah to Birchwood.

The other would base permits on buildable land, not total acreage.

This is in the wake of Plan Hamilton, the RPA’s strategy for future growth across the county, stirring controversy from residents in rural areas.

However, commissioners were warned that these proposals conflict with the rapid growth of the county as the average price of a home in Hamilton County now sits at three hundred and 78 thousand dollars.

“We are losing people. People that work here are now living outside of our county because they can’t afford it. Our children and our grandchildren, my grandchildren don’t here but they couldn’t afford to do so and they have good jobs,” said Julian Bell of the Chattanooga Homeowner’s Association.

The Commission will discuss these proposals at their February 26th meeting.