The City of Chattanooga has released the draft of Plan Chattanooga — the city's first comprehensive framework plan — for public review. Get ready to put your feedback to good use, as we dive in.

The Plan Chattanooga project began in August 2023 when the Chattanooga Regional Planning Agency launched a survey pertaining to eight areas of the city. This process is in tandem with Plan Hamilton County.

Each area has its own extensive chapter breaking down its history + future development plans — while we are highlighting some of the big ideas mentioned, we recommend fully diving into the area that affects you the most.

Downtown/NorthShore

Continue the implementation of recent vision plans (South Broad, One Riverfront, etc.)
Expand housing units by 500 to 1,000 per year
Create a downtown transit center
Protect the character of historic neighborhoods

Hixson/Red Bank

Facilitate the redevelopment of the Northgate Mall area to create a walkable Town Center
Preserve and add green spaces
Transform major streets to enhance safety + walkability
Maintain industrial areas to support non-retail employment

Historic River-to-Ridge

Limit new development in floodplains
Add programs to prevent displacement + gentrification
Connect all community destinations with greenways
Transform major streets to provide safe transportation

South Chattanooga/Lookout Mountain

Allow for a modest increase in residential density
Ensure cultural preservation through programs
Focus redevelopment to create nodes at intersections along Dodds Avenue + Rossville Boulevard
Mitigate conditions for existing housing in floodplains

The Place Type Map showcases the intended future character of each area based on the big ideas highlighted. | Screenshot via Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency

Lookout Valley

Establish village + neighborhood centers to expand neighborhood services
Develop more housing types + availability of affordable housing
Protect views of ridges (prevent development on steep slopes)
Use local tourism sites as avenues for economic development

Midtown

Evolve Brainerd Road, Lee Highway + other commercial corridors into walkable destinations
Implement the vision of the CHA Airport District Master Plan Study
Facilitate housing renewal throughout neighborhoods developed in the 1960s through the 1980s

Highway 58/Tyner

Provide affordable, higher-density housing for employment centers
Evolve strip commercial development into walkable + connected areas
Limit commercial development in areas like Bonny Oaks Drive + Shallowford Road
Create a system of greenways

East Brainerd

Redevelop Hamilton Place to be a walkable town center
Develop a neighborhood center at East Brainerd + Graysville Roads
Prioritize trail system connections + improvements along streams
Increase connectivity + transportation options

Now through Friday, Nov. 15, you can provide useful feedback to city officials in three ways:

Comment on the plan chapters | Drop your favorite plan chapter + what you'd like to see prioritized.
Comment on the Place Type Map | Click on specific parts of the map to learn about future land use and zoning + leave your feedback.
Tell the city about you | Fill out a survey about your time residing in Chattanooga + areas you're interested in.

Bonus: Complete all three sections to enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card.

Once Plan Chattanooga is finalized, the city will implement it as a long-term guide with plans to update + track the progress as Chattanooga continues to grow.