Board OKs annex requests

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission on Monday approved requests by two property owners to be annexed into the city.

This is in contrast to a lawsuit filed by many Hamilton County resident opposing annexation by the city.

"Many people have filed a lawsuit opposing annexation, but (others) have asked to be annexed into the city as soon as possible," City Attorney Mike McMahan said.

The commission approved annexation requests by Black Creek Farms to make way for a "high-end residential development" in the Lookout Valley area, Mr. McMahan said.

The other property involved a single property owner that had asked to be a part of the city.

Commissioner Mike Langley announced prior to voting that he would oppose the request because he felt it sidestepped the duties of the commission to investigate the plan of services.

Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield told Mr. Langley he was "grasping art straws" because the Regional Planning Agency had thoroughly determined that the plan of services for the area was acceptable.

A representative from Black Creek Farms was not available.

Mr. Littlefield made a motion to approve the request, and City Councilman Jack Benson seconded the motion.

The matter must now go to the City Council for final approval.

A group known as Hamilton County Residents Against Annexation has filed a series of lawsuits attempting to stop the city from taking in parts of the county.

In other business, the Planning Commission denied a variance request to reduce the 80-foot lot frontage requirements for a lot in the Dallas Crest neighborhood to 70 feet after hearing protests from a number of area residents.

Dan Alderman, who lives in the Dallas Crest Subdivision, said many residents signed a petition opposing the request, which would allow the lot to be divided in two.

"It will damage the characteristics of our neighborhood and will negatively impact our property values," Mr. Alderman said.

Fred Lupton said he has lived in the neighborhood for 45 years and doesn't want to see the lot divided.

"It would be very much out of character with the neighborhood," he said.