CHATTANOOGA — The Planning Commission recommended denial of a rezoning request for a commercial development on Standifer Gap Road on June 8, 2026. Georgia Tennessee Development Partners, LLC requested the rezoning for properties in the 8100 block of Standifer Gap Road.
Chattanooga Engineering Group represents the developer. The properties involved are 8118 and 8138 Standifer Gap Road, identified as Tax Map numbers 149 026 and 149 024.01. The requested change was from R-1, R-2A, and C-2 classifications to C-3 General Commercial District.
Planning Commission member and county development director Nathan Janeway moved to deny the rezoning request. Janeway stated a call from FEMA officials indicated that work at the site needed to be stopped. He also said the contractor lost his contractor's license, preventing construction work. Janeway cited the developer's history, stating, "The developer has a history of disturbing floodways in Hamilton County and is under a TDEC order on another property." Janeway added, regarding the current site conditions, "It appears something like that is happening here." He also said the rezoning request does not align with the Plan Hamilton growth guide.
Prior to the commission's vote, the developer had requested a 60-day delay to address neighborhood opposition. A petition opposing the rezoning contains over 250 signatures. Pat Standifer Potter stated her family purchased the property in 1844, and the site contains caves, springs, wetlands, and flood plains, with the headwaters of Mackey Branch nearby. Joyce Jalkh, PE, submitted the written rezoning request and documentation. The Hamilton County Commission holds the final decision-making authority on the rezoning request.