Planning commission votes to add UTC heat-risk map to Tullahoma's 2045 plan

The Tullahoma Planning Commission unanimously approved adding a heat-risk index map and brief explanatory text produced by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Center for Applied Geospatial Data Science to the city’s 2045 comprehensive plan.

Staff said the map, prepared in conjunction with the tree board and Alderman Bird, highlights areas where additional tree planting and shade could reduce heat risk. "It would be, in my opinion, wasteful to not include the extensive research that was done," a staff member said, recommending inclusion of the heat-risk index map and a short description in the plan.

Commissioners discussed the scope of materials to include and agreed the plan will append the heat-risk index map along with a concise description referencing the "Tullahoma Community Heat Risk Assessment." Staff said it would verify that the assessment is publicly accessible before the map is inserted prior to the plan’s second reading on Feb. 23, 2026.

The commission framed the addition as a low-cost way to use empirical data when prioritizing tree-planting and shade initiatives and to guide possible use of the city tree fund.