And we're back!

Friends of ESNP and all public lands-- we have a time-sensitive action we need your help with!

Background:

The Chattanooga City Council is voting on the acquisition of a 19-acre parcel of forested land being sold to the City by the Boy Scouts of America. The parcel is landlocked by ESNP parkland, yet it is currently zoned for HEAVY INDUSTRY. Because it is landlocked by permanently protected ESNP parkland, any development on this parcel will impact our public conservation land. Additionally, any non-recreational development on this parcel would need access through protected parkland, meaning it could lead to another attempted land swap.   

Link to news article

The good news:

1. The public (you! us!) have already demonstrated how much we value Enterprise South Nature Park and do NOT want forever-deed restrictions lifted.
2. Hamilton County has already listened to the public and withdrawn the proposal to industrialize a large portion of ESNP.
3. The Regional Planning Commission has already recommended that, when purchased by the City, the Boy Scouts parcel be rezoned as OS (Open Space), for greenspace and recreation. Now the City and County just need to support/agree to this recommendation. 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE ACTION

BEFORE TUESDAY’S (3/24) COUNCIL MEETING, please call/email the Chattanooga City Council: Council-Clerk@chattanooga.gov 

Boilerplate: 

“I am writing to urge the Chattanooga City Council to follow the recommendation of the Regional Planning Commission and rezone the 19-acre Boy Scouts parcel as OS (Open Space) for recreation and greenspace after purchasing. 

The Boy Scouts parcel is landlocked by permanently protected, Enterprise South Nature Park land. 

This is an opportunity for the City and County to continue to honor the wishes and values of our community, America’s first National Park City, and the promises to conserve ESNP land forever, as stated in the deed.”

City Council Contacts:

Email the entire Chattanooga City Council: Council-Clerk@chattanooga.gov 

Chip Henderson, District 1 - Chair
(423) 643-7186

 Jenny Hill, District 2 - Chairwoman
(423) 643-7187

 Jeff Davis, District 3
(423) 643-7188

 Cody Harvey, District 4
(423) 643-7184

 Dennis Clark, District 5
(423) 643-7183

 Jenni Berz, District 6
(423) 643-7181

 Raquetta Dotley, District 7
(423) 643-7180

 Marvene Noel, District 8
(423) 643-7182

 Ron Elliott, District 9
(423) 643-7185