As a Builder/Developer for over 40 years and a 38-year Unincorporated Hamilton County resident, I want to express my opposition to Resolution 825-18 being incorporated into Plan Hamilton. I think 825-18 if approved will be a detriment to Plan Hamilton and to the estimated 166,000 Unincorporated Hamilton County residents which Plan Hamilton is supposed to protect from irresponsible overdevelopment in our rural County areas.

I also have concerns of potential Conflicts of Interest within the RPC. According to public records, nine of the 15 members of the RPC are either Homebuilders, Realtors, Architects, Engineers or Individuals directly compensated by Homebuilding interest. By any reasonable standard, 60 percent of the RPC has a direct or indirect financial interest in the approval of Resolution 825-18. The fact that many of the changes incorporated into this Resolution were requested by the Chattanooga Homebuilders Association further raises a legitimate appearance of impropriety and a potential violation of the RPC Commission's Code Of Ethics And Conduct.

825-18 also proposes to increase density to 2.75 Homes per acre if on a Decentralized system in the Countryside Residential Place Type. Many Countryside Residential properties are located in A-1 zoning which currently allows 2 homes per acre. This is a proposed 37.5 percent density increase in Rural County areas that lack the necessary infrastructure to support the higher density request.

825-18 also seeks to omit Geo-Technical, Environmental, Traffic, and Stormwater reports for new developments in Area 7. This represents a clear rollback of Public Safety and Environmental protections, placing private profit above Community welfare.

Over 80 percent (132,800) of the estimated 166,000 Unincorporated County residents opposed Resolution 825-18. A Ragen Smith poll said 92 percent of Unincorporated County residents also opposed this Resolution. This information was presented to the Hamilton County Commission and, unfortunately, six Commissioners ignored the will and desire of the majority of Unincorporated Hamilton County residents and voted to approve 825-18. County residents can email the RPC at [email protected] with their concerns of 825-18.

The purpose of the Regional Planning Commission with regards to Plan Hamilton is to act in the Public's best interest to ensure balanced, responsible growth planning for Unincorporated Hamilton County residents. Typically the RPC leans towards Developers and Homebuilders requests presented to them. I implore all RPC members to put all Politics and Business affiliations aside and represent the will of the majority of Unincorporated Hamilton County residents who do not desire the changes made by Resolution 825-18 to Plan Hamilton and vote to deny incorporating Resolution 825-18 into the Plan Hamilton growth plan.

Barry Glasscock