Dear Friends of Mountain Creek 

In spite of the elements and traffic, there were four empty chairs in the council chambers last night for the “second reading” of the ordinance. Another great showing of support for the Friends of Mountain Creek! THANKS to each of our supporters who attended.  

The process consisted of a statement of the ordinance and a vote. There were no arguments or discussion and the opposition did not make an appearance. As a result, the meeting was anticlimactic.  

Seven council members (including Councilwomen Coonrod who voted no last week) voted YES to support the ordinance, two Abstained (Berz and Ledford) and no one voted NO. 

As a result of this ordinance, the clubhouse and its 2+ acre parking lot area WILL NOW NOT PERMIT (HIGH DENSITY) APARTMENTS as has been proposed by Pratt. The balance of the property (about 50 acres) remains R-1 allowing single family detached homes only. Much of the R-1 acreage contains environmental features including “waters of the state” which the FOMC will insist upon being protected consistent with law. 

I attempted to contact Councilman Henderson late this afternoon to get his perspective on the next steps of the process and will offer his insights in a subsequent message. We anticipate that Pratt will either file a lawsuit challenging the ordinance or proceed with developing another PUD. The basis of the ordinance that the 2002 rezoning was not valid as explained by Chip Henderson at the October 9 City Council Meeting appears “open and shut”.  And, any plans for a PUD would have to be ultimately approved by the City Council.  

All members of the FOMC greatly appreciate the high level of support and commitment provided to us by Councilman Henderson. 

As after last week, a brief message of thanks from FOMC to the supporting council members (now including Ms. Demetrus Coonrod; dcoonrod@chattanooga.gov) would be an appropriate gesture. 

Thanks for Supporting the friends of Mountain Creek