Hamilton County Residents Invited to Review Plan Hamilton
Hey there, Hamilton County! Exciting changes are on the horizon as officials have unveiled Plan Hamilton, a comprehensive growth strategy that is about 75 percent complete. Residents have two to three weeks to dive into the plan and provide their feedback before it heads to the Regional Planning Commission for approval this coming November. If all goes well, the plan could be approved by the County Commission in December!
What is Plan Hamilton?
Plan Hamilton is all about responsibly managing growth in our lovely county. During a recent meeting of the Friends of Hixson, Hamilton County Director of Development Services Nathan Janeway emphasized the need to balance growth with the limits of our infrastructure, including the sewer systems, roads, and fire services. “Obviously, a lot of people don’t like growth,” he noted. “Developers love growth because that’s their job.”
This plan, curated by Ragan-Smith Associates, aims to prepare Hamilton County for the future while keeping our community in mind. It makes recommendations on where to add new housing, commercial zones, parks, and industrial areas. One key approach is to consolidate commercial areas to prevent spreading out services along busy roads, which can lead to traffic issues. Janeway pointed out that creating commercial nodes where businesses can cluster together will help keep our roads less congested.
Economic Growth on the Rise
It’s no secret that Hamilton County is growing! According to RPA Deputy Director Karen Rennich, we can expect an additional 60,000 jobs by 2030 and around 46,000 new households by 2040. Janeway explained that about half of this growth is “organic,” referring to families having children who choose to stay in the area. The other half sees folks moving here for various reasons—including the appealing political climate, tax rates, and lovely scenery.
Even though county taxes are some of the lowest in the state, a tax hike isn’t on the table right now. Instead, county officials might look into transferring some costs for new infrastructure on to developers as our community expands.
Community Highlights and Vision
One special spot that is getting attention is Chester Frost Park. Janeway expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “In my opinion, it’s the best park in Hamilton County!” The county is committed to making this scenic location accessible to more visitors, even launching rental options like air-conditioned yurts.
As new zoning ideas come into play, resort-style amenities, like camp stores and mid-sized lodging, may be permitted on larger parcels of land as part of ongoing improvements. This could really enhance our park experience and attract more visitors to the area!
Addressing Road Congestion
Speaking of enhancements, road congestion is also on the agenda! According to Janeway, Middle Valley Road congestion is a concern that will be tackled in the next five years with a newly developed $5.8 million road fund. This funding aims to help apply for grants and create necessary improvements, with roundabouts costing around $2.5 million each.
Environmental Considerations
Another point highlighted during the meeting was addressing stormwater runoff. Janeway mentioned that the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has been swamped with requests, but Hamilton County is working hard to assist. Developers will now need to consider runoff beyond their own developments, allowing for better water management in the community.
Residents, be sure to take some time to familiarize yourselves with Plan Hamilton over the next few weeks. Your input is vital in shaping the future of our beloved Hamilton County. Together, we can ensure that growth enhances our community without compromising our way of life!
Let’s embrace the changes with open arms and continue to make Hamilton County a thriving place for all!
