Chattanooga, Hamilton County Split Planning Agency

City and county officials chart next steps after county withdraws from shared development advisory group.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 7:54pm

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A dimly lit, nostalgic painting of an empty government office or planning department space, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows casting across the desks and chairs, conceptually representing the uncertainty surrounding the split between the city and county on planning issues.As Chattanooga and Hamilton County chart separate planning paths, the future of coordinated regional development hangs in the balance.Chattanooga Today

The city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County are working through the next steps after the county decided to withdraw from a shared planning agency that has advised both governments on housing and development issues. The Regional Planning Agency has provided guidance on zoning, rezoning, and other development matters for the city and county.

Why it matters

This move represents a shift in how Chattanooga and Hamilton County will coordinate on key planning and development decisions going forward. The split could lead to diverging visions and approaches between the city and county on issues like affordable housing, commercial growth, and land use.

The details

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp has been given authority by the County Commission to oversee the withdrawal from the Regional Planning Agency, which has provided advisory services to both the city and county governments. Officials from Chattanooga and Hamilton County are now working to determine how to divide up the planning agency's responsibilities and resources as they establish separate planning processes.

  • On March 25, 2026, the Hamilton County Commission voted to withdraw from the Regional Planning Agency.
  • Chattanooga and Hamilton County officials are currently in discussions to chart the next steps in the split.

The players

Weston Wamp

The Hamilton County Mayor who has been given authority by the County Commission to oversee the withdrawal from the Regional Planning Agency.

Tim Kelly

The Mayor of Chattanooga, who is working with Hamilton County officials on the next steps in the planning agency split.

Regional Planning Agency

The shared planning advisory group that has provided guidance on zoning, rezoning, and development matters to both the city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County.

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What’s next

Chattanooga and Hamilton County officials are expected to announce details on how they will divide up the planning agency's responsibilities and resources in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The split between Chattanooga and Hamilton County on planning and development issues could lead to diverging visions and approaches on key issues like affordable housing, commercial growth, and land use in the region.