Support Us Button Widget

Decoding Zoning: plans for 2023

In today’s installment of Decoding Zoning (a series where we try to make local zoning codes and processes easier to understand), we’re diving into why this year will be so big for city and county planning.

Part of the Chattanooga skyline at sunrise.

2023 is a big year for local planners.

Photo by NOOGAtoday

2023 is a big year for us.” — Dan Reuter, Executive Director of the Regional Planning Agency + City Planning Administrator

What does that mean? In today’s installment of Decoding Zoning (a series where we try to make local zoning codes and processes easier to understand), we’re diving into why this year will be so big for city and county planning.

According to Reuter, 2023 will be all about having a good sense of where the city and county are headed, and what zoning changes can be made to address potential problems before they arise.

This will be an opportunity to understand growth, traffic, housing, sewer, and school issues, among others. Along with two consulting teams — one for Hamilton County + one for the City of Chattanooga — the RPA will dig into all of these issues as much as possible.

Don’t worry, there’ll be a chance for you to make your voice heard. In the first quarter of the year, however, the consultants and RPA will focus on gathering + understanding all of the data as best as possible.

When we spoke with Reuter, he told us that they were working to have a draft modernizing the zoning ordinance out to the public soon. You can stay updated on the RPA’s website + the zoning code update website.

We are fortunate that we can look at consultants that have worked in other parts of country, and we don’t have to follow a conventional process. We can be out of the box. We don’t wanna go down the same road of growth that we’ve seen in so many places in America.” — Reuter

More from NOOGAtoday
See the update on “Evolving Our Riverfront Parks,” to create a place where everyone can play and be active year-round.
Songbirds will continue its 2024 Music + Food Series in August, where you can enjoy a meal made by a local chef and live music.
From East Ridge to Red Bank, we’re giving you all the pertinent details about some of the elementary, middle, and high schools in Chattanooga.
The Scenic City is well represented on the world stage at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics — these are some locals to watch.
Tennessee’s annual sales tax holiday weekend will take place Friday, July 26 through Sunday, July 28.
Once a textile mill, this site will now serve as a public park and urban ecological reserve for Chattanooga + the Lupton City area.
The world’s longest yard sale is passing through Chattanooga, and we’re here to help you prepare so you can make sure you experience everything you want to.
A turn of phrase here, a recognizable Chattanooga nod there — these craft beers found around Scenic City take local pride seriously.
River City Co. has created a vision board for Hawk Hill, the current site of AT&T Field — see what the future could hold once the field gets demolished.
This week — Monday, July 22-Friday, July 26, 2024 — we’re shining a spotlight on the vibrant drink scene in Chattanooga.