Dear Friends of Mountain Creek,
We hope that you are enjoying your time with your family during this Thanksgiving holiday and we expect that you were too busy to notice the article that appeared in the chattanoogan.com entitled “North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy Says Developer Pratt Makes Favorable Concessions On Quarry Property”. It appeared Saturday evening.
Please know that FOMC neither approves or disapproves of the concessions or this “plan”. We were made aware of it earlier this week by North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy (NCCC) and we asked then, due to the fact that Pratt subpoenaed the FOMC leadership into its lawsuit against the City, City Council, and our Councilman Henderson, that we be allowed to consult with our legal counsel as to the appropriateness of a response. Likely due to the holiday, we have not received such approval, and so we cannot approve or disapprove this plan. Knowing this, and contrary to agreement with us, NCCC released it anyway.
As you know, FOMC is passionate about our neighborhood, the Post Oak tree and environment, and especially the creeks, ponds and streams therein. Here and elsewhere.
The NCCC release says that the Pratt plan “satisfies” most of the stated concerns. Let us be clear - IT DOES NOT.
While this new plan encompasses some green space and supports the NCCC planned mountain bike and bouldering park’s access, it also increases the development density from the previous high of 196 units to over 300 units. Why the increase?
For complete transparency, realize that NCCC has appointed themselves in an intermediary role because they have something to gain; Pratt can provide them access and a parking lot for their park. By making the statement that most concerns have been satisfied, the FOMC petition cornerstone rejecting the use of this property for rentals and high density development is “thrown under the bus” by NCCC. To be clear again, NCCC does not speak for and is not authorized to negotiate on behalf of the now over 4000 strong FOMC.
FOMC can not consider a plan with incomplete or blatant misinformation. We respectfully request that the developer clarify the “plan” by providing specific information about:
The clubhouse. The “plan” says it won’t be developed for condominiums. What is the rest of the “plan”? Do they intend to put in apartments or some non-compatible commercial use?
What’s the plan for the spring fed S-Shaped Pond, it’s drainage stream and the lake it feeds (Reads Lake)? Or the creek from Tom Scott’s spring fed pond that runs under and across Mountain View Road and Reads Lake Road to Mountain Creek? What’s to become of them specifically?
It appears that the “plan” will build in the flood plain. Is that so?
Most importantly, are there really only two alternatives? Are the only options (1) the “plan” or (2) an R-1 development with the threat to eliminate the Post Oak?
Why is the tree held hostage when it could be preserved in exchange for just a few “doors”? If the developer cuts it down, it’s on him.
Why is it necessary to “cram in as many doors as possible” (his words) when this property deserves better?
Homes have been built in this area on top of springs unbeknownst to the homebuyer. One home owner reports she has multiple “ram-jacks” under her foundation just to keep her house stable during wet weather. Others on Day Lilly have had to install pumps and expensive encapsulation. The developer should be forthcoming.
What is the comprehensive plan for this land? What do we not know? What are we not being told? Why won’t this landowner / developer be forthcoming with answers?
FOMC encourages all Petition signers to voice your opinions on this “plan”. Please reply to the article and the FOMC response above to contact@northchick.org and please copy fomcquarry@gmail.com. Please also let us know if you would like to obtain a petition copy to encourage neighbors and friends to join us.
Thankfully yours,
Friends of Mountain Creek