Rezoning request withdrawn

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A controversial plan to bring a micro-home community to the area near Garner Road is now on hold — at least for the time being.

Developer Michael Kenner withdrew his rezoning request during Monday’s planning commission meeting, following pushback from several community members.

“Michael Kenner, 114 Side Drive, Chattanooga, Tennessee. I wish to withdraw the case,” he stated before the commission.

When asked for additional comments, Kenner declined to elaborate.

“I prefer not to speak on that at this moment.”

The proposal called for building a number of micro-homes across several acres of land in a part of the city some residents say is already lacking in infrastructure and essential services.

Connie Morris, a nearby resident, emphasized that while the community isn’t against growth, the specifics of this development didn’t fit the area’s current needs.

“When we’ve always been willing to work with him, we are not in opposition to having development in the area. In fact, we look for development in the area. We’ve got increased diversity coming right now, but you don’t need to put low income and a lot of people in the area that has a food desert, a transportation desert, no amenities that normal regular neighborhoods have.”

Other community members shared concerns about communication between developers and residents.

“Anybody’s coming in to do the development—make sure you talk to the people,” said Montra Tucker. “Ask the people what they need, you know, what they want, before you try and just come in and, you know, do whatever it is that you want or you envision. Make sure you communicate with the people.”

While the proposal has been withdrawn for now, the door isn’t fully closed.

“He can come back with a new application. Yes,” a planning commission member explained. “So, you’re free to go, unless you want to stick around with us, but thank you.”

In other words, the proposal is effectively wiped clean — but not erased for good.

“It’s like it never existed,” said a member of the planning commission, underscoring the possibility of a future revision.

City leaders also weighed in.

District 5 Councilman Dennis Clark expressed that while the city welcomes diverse housing options, this particular plan didn’t align with the area’s long-term vision.

“We have different housing types, different planning initiatives that we would like to see in District Five, but unfortunately this project did not align with those goals.”

For now, the land near Garner Road will remain unchanged — as the community and the developer consider what may come next.