[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6185843,"mediaKeyId","5079714-fee8a1ba9ea9b9953b76135207887738","parentId",5079714,"title","Greater Chattanooga Realtors: Hamilton County housing inventory near historic lows, median price climbs","audioSeconds",280,"startMs",4694910,"endMs",4975705,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5079714-fee8a1ba9ea9b9953b76135207887738&start=4694&end=4975","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5079714-fee8a1ba9ea9b9953b76135207887738/thumbnail_4694910.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6185843/Hamilton-County/Tennessee/Greater-Chattanooga-Realtors-Hamilton-County-housing-inventory-near-historic-lows-median-price-climbs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185843-5df1d07d18ed698fb167546639a919d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218466&Signature=j0LHL88x~TCHXsWP-8qbONDiA6sX0ZJkzuBEj3mnPEzgJ5isUGwnhA87a5ReYlGxsAerZckLGX6PgbjOfc5MsNbchlcaihQ47ngDD39h707u2CHA4cHVMEDicKn5x3ChMJXzEvyJw5663vdZJSBqsvhvHtwD0-YLr~ifKxDNisuDx3GFIHu~IQd3zHiJ4RCsPehFDjZ5KuTgVRE7wWmdBPQfcXBT5O5FCEVhWBAFAf7yQh5ii56xAyLBSBSvB09b~hrVHDnoYTMEzOKqeInSgXBviXpjkMdTGinszK~A~W49meKg0zEwEBgloPZ404ZoVUlQMzLfqK08QevOQq6sxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hamilton County, TN","date","2025-06-26T03:34:52Z","article","Josh Branham of Greater Chattanooga Realtors told commissioners that Hamilton County's housing inventory has fallen sharply in recent years while demand has remained steady.

On June 25 Josh Branham, governmental affairs director for Greater Chattanooga Realtors, presented housing-market data to the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners showing a sustained decline in active listings and months of inventory. Branham said Hamilton County's months of inventory — the number of months it would take to sell all homes on the market assuming no new listings — has fallen well below the 6-month balance point used by HUD, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. \"Currently...we're currently sitting at 1.2,\" Branham said when summarizing 2025 data so far.

Branham gave several data points to illustrate the shift: average monthly active listings have dropped from the mid‑hundreds/low‑thousands in the 2000s to roughly 439 currently; new monthly listings fell from about 552 per month in 2020 to roughly 324 per month through early 2025; median sold price for Hamilton County in 2024 was \"just shy of $378,000,\" he said. He also noted sold properties per month have been relatively steady (for example, about 429 in 2006, peaking near 616 in 2021), which suggests demand remains but supply is constrained.

Branham said the combination of limited supply and steady demand has pushed prices higher and reduced choices for buyers. He characterized the problem as one of supply more than demand: \"This isn't a demand issue. It's a supply problem,\" he told commissioners. He recommended that the association stand ready to help county leaders with data and to collaborate on land-use policy, zoning or infrastructure changes that could increase housing production.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions. Doctor Mackey, Commissioner Sharp, and others noted the economic ripple effects of housing activity for trades and local jobs; Branham agreed the sector supports a broader construction economy. Commissioners also raised questions about building permits and starts; Branham said the Realtors' data covers sold and listed properties and that new-start data is tracked by builders' associations.

The presentation provided local context commissioners cited in subsequent debate about the Plan Hamilton process and the temporary plat moratorium.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 25, 2025 - Hamilton County Commission Recessed and Agenda Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","A presentation to commissioners showed long-term declines in active listings and months of inventory, with the county at roughly 1.2 months of inventory in 2025 and a 2024 median sold price just under $378,000.","taxTitle","Hamilton County, Tennessee","taxId",3756,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6185848,"Commission approves $37,343 to repair shoulders on Sam Powell Trail Road",70,422205,492680,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5079714-fee8a1ba9ea9b9953b76135207887738&start=422&end=492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5079714-fee8a1ba9ea9b9953b76135207887738/thumbnail_422205.jpg","/articles/6185848/Hamilton-County/Tennessee/Commission-approves-37343-to-repair-shoulders-on-Sam-Powell-Trail-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185848-402f9e9de51bea1d4a9cfe17d5ea5899/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218466&Signature=lV9iQif5yXEFZEMe6tDYLmzO9VnHJqWFwFchW4higPhvzlNNlNO6yxIFUjGePKEI~rj~AvTyI4iaGOmYX6L-WYxujqw1zO0BXuqgebqg0gPc2n2YHgwMIFbG~3y6dI2i5ACFwWL5U8QBDIQVyLhbQ1lRn~5S72gqiR1pUIZxVs8YuW-7xAKgC987onRbVOay423Yz4B7Z241ydyShAtwn~rKqJOLuA67fAeE5Imoamn6yEe5bn2cZsjaN2VxpVSDKmO-Cjhe~WT9wEUfWd3UvIiW-IotTEjhQbnM2D762ikm~SxHN3kqDS4KMF6b84kgRK2ERof9d3mKhuZpqTQjRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commission approved $37,343.26 to finance shoulder repairs and related work on Sam Powell Trail Road out of parks and recreation capital outlay funds.

At the recessed meeting, the board approved Resolution 625-61, \"a resolution to approve funds in the amount of $37,343.26 to be used for shoulder repairs at Sam Powell Trail Road out of parks and recreation budgeted capital outlay funds.\" The motion was made by Commissioner Graham and seconded by Commissioner Baker; roll-call recorded unanimous approval.

A county staff member described the project as a partnership with Hamilton County Schools: \"We're doing some ditch work, some tree work, and also some repaving...the plan is to get it done before school starts,\" the staff member said, explaining why the item was added as a late, recessed-session item. Commissioners had no public comment on the item and approved the funding so crews and contractors can proceed.

County officials said the work will include shoulder repairs, minor ditch clearing, tree trimming where necessary, and resurfacing in front of the school area. Funding will come from the Parks and Recreation budgeted capital outlay account identified in the resolution. No additional budget amendments were made at the meeting.","The county approved Resolution 625-61 to fund shoulder repairs and related ditch/tree work at Sam Powell Trail Road in partnership with Hamilton County Schools; work will be completed before the school year begins.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6185853,"Commission approves 30-day moratorium on new plat approvals starting July 2",530,2626010,3156565,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5079714-fee8a1ba9ea9b9953b76135207887738&start=2626&end=3156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5079714-fee8a1ba9ea9b9953b76135207887738/thumbnail_2626010.jpg","/articles/6185853/Hamilton-County/Tennessee/Commission-approves-30-day-moratorium-on-new-plat-approvals-starting-July-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185853-9a1b602e65bdb8c32730c5ea3818d345/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218466&Signature=Yg7hlfPK49jI-TW5ZDFqcFAFAGYUZghr-d1IptdY~r1OANi4Uyn69909fqi~IsFRellzSE2EyxrAZR18xFv3zyMzkbVxakPCSwV0BxrM~Dv5XwEIDANv2PDRYy61k-XttMekhh4s0gOLDWHp9OVr1cKNSHPwQVoPudw3Bv6vkic5npBNinrGsp0prNBDV~9pjAQgmGzFHghAaboPJkHbV-biqDYvEPA7JXyR5UpbuOkCiWSCdmlpIhGUTfMiaAr9KYg1yV31MjF40dnRtWBOg88dQAlcgS~lHY0DPJtQy-BbxEv2k6UPn5FDzMPMTUp-NgKGg6FsSO6AiAJ-xhpV~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Steve Baker introduced a resolution to pause new plat approvals for 30 days beginning July 2; commissioners approved the measure 6-5.

At the recessed session on June 25, the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 625-62, \"a resolution of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners to implement a temporary moratorium on plat approvals in Hamilton County, Tennessee.\" The resolution passed on a 6-5 roll-call vote after debate about timing and procedure.

Commissioner Steve Baker, who sponsored the resolution, described it as \"a temporary pause on plat approvals, so that we could complete Plan Hamilton,\" saying the moratorium would \"commence on July 2, and it will be imposed for a period of 30 days with our ability to extend this, unless Plan Hamilton is adopted.\" Commissioner Highlander seconded the resolution. Baker clarified in response to questions that the moratorium covers plats and does not prohibit rezoning actions under the current plan.

Supporters said the short pause was intended to accelerate negotiation between stakeholders and planning staff and to encourage completion of Plan Hamilton. Commissioner Biker said the measure was a way to \"get people off the dime\" and described it as \"only a 30 day stay on plats. It doesn't stop development.\" Opponents criticized the timing of an item added at a recessed session and warned of the message a moratorium sends to builders and investors. Commissioner Graham called it \"a last ditch effort to stop growth in Hamilton County\" and said it would send a negative signal to prospective businesses and partners.

Roll-call on Resolution 625-62: Yes votes — Commissioner Baker, Commissioner Helton, Doctor Highlander, Commissioner Shipley, Commissioner Smith, Chairman Jeff Eversall; No votes — Commissioner Beck, Commissioner Chauncey, Commissioner Graham, Doctor Mackey, Commissioner Sharp. The resolution took effect immediately as a temporary measure to be revisited at the end of the 30-day period or extended by future action.

The resolution's text specifies the moratorium will begin July 2, last 30 days, and may be extended; staff and planning commission agendas scheduled during the period will require review for affected plat submissions. County staff asked for clarification about July 14 planning commission agendas; Commissioner Baker indicated plats submitted earlier would be affected if the moratorium is in force on July 2, and that pending submissions may need administrative review or rescheduling.

No legislative amendments to Plan Hamilton were adopted in conjunction with the moratorium; the moratorium is a short-term administrative pause on plat approvals only.","By a 6-5 vote, the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners enacted a temporary 30-day moratorium on new plat approvals to incentivize progress on Plan Hamilton; sponsors said the pause applies to plats only and does not prevent rezoning under current rules.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6185857,"Commissioners debate legal process for Plan Hamilton; tabled resolutions sent back to planning commission",2084,531430,2615825,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5079714-fee8a1ba9ea9b9953b76135207887738&start=531&end=2615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5079714-fee8a1ba9ea9b9953b76135207887738/thumbnail_531430.jpg","/articles/6185857/Hamilton-County/Tennessee/Commissioners-debate-legal-process-for-Plan-Hamilton-tabled-resolutions-sent-back-to-planning-commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185857-e659bb1d13d59373fcedaaa48d942de4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218466&Signature=P-tRGiWnLZ-oc7~AGaj68b7Id3jMVVlEzhF4fM9TRV4loyPr95tZnpG8kP-VhzN5obAJiOwQS6lBhdGX90eXzR7JHFL4WeKYHZZoPkqEb0yp7GHqQEJTkSVrIXv7ZM0VpCXe8BPe5VU1eAe-jkh9mKkiSmyRuil85ECE1QyEL~NPSfVKnBarg9UGKYVUGPhEabzPU205nOscx6S3lT1FIeynkuhiN9o01WGrLY-N338wZtD4PF1yT6CuK8~GRgByxqkFJqcCsBC9BBGVvzoGbeRTOkLeo7gXxToxZGiU6V1DpjE79lBrcxXzBB2g4ywON8UXldW~3qArddcSfX5Q2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Jeff Eversall said the commission had incorrectly been presented a resolution to \"adopt\" Plan Hamilton and sought legal clarity on whether that authority belongs to the planning commission.

The immediate question at the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners recessed meeting on June 25 was procedural: whether the county legislative body may \"adopt\" a regional comprehensive plan or only \"approve\" a plan that has first been adopted and certified by the planning commission. That uncertainty prompted a months-long, often heated discussion and left two related resolutions (625-59 and 625-60) tabled and effectively returned to the planning commission.

The issue matters because state law assigns the formal adoption and certification step to the planning commission, after which the legislative body may approve or amend the plan. County Attorney Varnell told the commission that \"the state statute that requires a...regional comprehensive plan does not allow the legislative body to adopt something that has not already been certified by the planning commission.\" The statute cited in the meeting was the Tennessee Code Annotated provision directing planning commission adoption and certification (Tennessee Code Annotated § 13-3-304).

Commission debate was lengthy and divided. Commissioner Jack Mackey repeatedly asked whether older items that the commission previously voted on but that had not been adopted by the planning commission should be revisited. Attorney Varnell and attorney Barnell limited the scope to the specific statute and the two Plan Hamilton resolutions under discussion. \"We're only talking about this particular resolution and this particular state statute,\" Barnell said.

Some commissioners said they believed the planning commission had sought guidance rather than formal action. Commissioner Dan Chauncey said RPA (the Regional Planning Agency) had instructed the planning commission to provide guidance, and that the planning commission then sent the item up for the county commission's view. Commissioner Chauncey said, \"Planning commission is sent to this body for general guidance...They could adopt the plan next month and then we can vote to adopt it, amend it, whatever we do, but it's gotta be adopted by the planning commission first.\"

Commissioner John Shipley moved to remove the two Plan Hamilton items from the table so the commission could reconsider them; he argued removing them would \"start brand new.\" Shipley's motion to take the items off the table was seconded by Commissioner Highlander but failed on a 6-5 roll-call vote (Yes: Baker, Beck, Highlander, Shipley, Eversall; No: Chauncey, Graham, Helton, Mackey, Sharp, Smith). With the motion failing, the two items remained on the table and, per staff and counsel, will be treated as dead for this body and returned to the planning commission for further action and state certification.

Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that tabling carries a defined effect under their procedures: if an item remains on the table through the next regular meeting, it dies. Commissioner Smith clarified that under Robert's Rules as modified by commission procedure, \"if you table anything, you must intend to bring it off the table at the next regular meeting or it dies.\" Several commissioners who had voted to table said their intent had been to pause the resolution to refine it, not to kill it, and they voiced concern that the procedural result had not matched their expectations.

The commission did not adopt policy changes or amendments to Plan Hamilton at the recessed session. The formal outcome was procedural: the two resolutions related to Plan Hamilton remain tabled and will return to the planning commission for adoption/certification before reappearing before the county commission for approval or amendment.

Commissioners said they expect further coordination among the county legal staff, RPA counsel, and county planning staff to clarify process language and ensure future submissions comply with state law.

The commission moved on to other business after the planning discussion; no substantive change to Plan Hamilton was adopted by the county commission during the session.","A dispute over whether the county commission may 'adopt' or only 'approve' a regional plan led commissioners to leave two Plan Hamilton resolutions on the table and direct the Regional Planning Commission to proceed under state law.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Greater Chattanooga Realtors: Hamilton County housing inventory near historic lows, median price climbs

Commission approves $37,343 to repair shoulders on Sam Powell Trail Road

Commission approves 30-day moratorium on new plat approvals starting July 2

Commissioners debate legal process for Plan Hamilton; tabled resolutions sent back to planning commission