Recently, some residents of Ooltewah have been concerned with the rapid growth their area has seen, according to a previous Accent article. Some are worried about the chance of a worsened traffic situation at Bell Mill and Hunter Roads.
Responsible growth, according to Steve Highlander, Hamilton County District Nine commissioner, would be straightening out Bell Mill Road and changing it from a two-lane to a three-lane road.
Highland made his comments in response to questions about the plans for the new homes that are to be built near Bell Mill and Hunter Road.
“I’m not against growth, but I think we need to have responsible growth,” Highlander said during an interview with the Accent. He said the road widening project, although expensive, is something worth considering due to the immense traffic concerns. The cost of the project would be roughly $3 million.
As a result of the recent growth in the area, there is a need for places for people to live, said County Commissioner Jeff Eversole in an interview with the Accent. A developer plans to build over 200 new homes near Bell Mill and Hunter Road. Residents are now concerned that traffic will get worse and their living conditions will change due to the new development.
“It’s a beautiful area, and lots of people want to live here,” said Highlander.
“I’m not against growth, but I think we need to have responsible growth.”
Highlander said he understands residents’ concerns about traffic and the roadways; however, he also realizes that more people are wanting to move to the area and the county needs to accommodate. Building just over 200 new homes in that area would result in several hundred new cars on the road, he said. Eversole said the sheriff is helping conduct traffic studies on Hunter and Bell Mill road to help solve some problems. The studies may help find ways for the road to have cut throughs to help avoid traffic concerns that are rising, said Eversole.
Mike Price, owner of MAP Engineers, said engineers are currently creating construction documents for the 204 homes that are to be built at Bell Mill road. The plan was originally 280 homes, but the planning commission recommended for it to be denied, so MAP withdrew the plan and proposed 204 homes instead, he said.
According to Price, MAP Engineers will conduct some road improvements in front of its location at Bell Mill Road, but anything beyond that is the county’s responsibility.
“Directly in front of our property we will widen [Bell Mill Road] to a minimum of 22 feet in width,” Price said.
Price expressed that it is the county’s job to help fix the road, and, as the developer, MAP Engineers does not have the right or the funds to fix all the traffic problems in the area.
“I understand it does add to the traffic woes, but the county has the responsibility, along with the state, to try and fix those aspects that the developer cannot,” Price said.
The population in Hamilton County has been rapidly increasing, said Eversole. With the influx of new residents, Hamilton County has had an increase of population that is three times more than the national average, according to an article from the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Price said he realizes that the one thing people do not like is change, but the growth is increasing, and there is a need for homes.
