A development with 174 units for student housing is being proposed at 1428 Riverside Dr. It would provide housing for over 600 students.
The project by Wes Bradley of University Housing Group is the latest proposal to fill the need for the overflow of UTC students.
The applicant’s site plan shows four four-story buildings, one three-story building, and 619 surface parking spaces.
The 13.5-acre vacant site is located on the south side of Riverside Drive approximately 1,000 feet from where Citico Creek joins the Tennessee River.
Currently, access to the site is from Riverside Drive. However, the applicant plans to provide additional access from the proposed Central Avenue extension.
Staff of the Regional Planning Agency recommended that the Planning Commission approve the rezoning. The staff said, "Although this is a new use for this area, the proposed use is not incompatible with surrounding uses.
"Currently, no multi-family housing exists in the immediate vicinity; however, the city of Chattanooga desires more multi-family housing in the urban area and the University is in need of additional housing for students.The proposed structure does not raise concerns regarding location, lighting, or height.
"The proposal would not be an extension of an existing zone. However, the applicant is proposing multi-story buildings that will front the proposed Central Avenue extension and therefore is requesting the C-3 Zone to accommodate the urban setbacks for four of the five buildings."