Audio clip
Jack Benson
The first steps of new annexations by Chattanooga could happen within the next five to six months, City Attorney Mike McMahan said this week.
“(The mayor) did indicate he’d hope we’d make some decisions this year,” Mr. McMahan said.
Mayor Ron Littlefield said in his inauguration speech two months ago that he wanted to annex all property within the city’s already designated urban growth plan, a 20-year county plan adopted in 2001. That area includes large swaths in East Brainerd, along state Highway 58 and Ooltewah and Hixson Pike.
To begin the process of annexation, the city attorney’s office must present a plan of services to the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission. The planning commission votes on it and, if approved, the plan will go before the City Council as an ordinance to be voted on twice, officials said.
Mr. McMahan said the city has started assessing where the best possible locations for annexation would be at this time.
“It’s going to be a lengthy process,” he said.
Mr. Littlefield said Friday that it is not too soon to begin the process.
“It’s not necessarily haste,” he said. “You have to set a plan or nothing gets done.”
He said annexing all the land within the growth plan could take his entire four-year term. That’s one reason he wants to start the process, he said.
“I want to move ahead with all due speed,” Mr. Littlefield said.
Some City Council members have expressed reservations about annexing areas without knowing the proper services would be in place. Council Chairman Jack Benson said Friday he does not expect contention among council members because everyone has an “open mind.”
He said annexation could help some unincorporated areas.
“Since East Brainerd was annexed, the property value and quality of life has gone up considerably,” he said.
Cliff has worked for the Times Free Press for five years and covers Chattanooga city government. He previously covered Rhea County, as well as transportation and growth and development in Southeast Tennessee. A native of Maryville, Tenn., Cliff graduated in 2003 from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis on journalism. Before coming to Chattanooga, he was a crime reporter with Hernando Today, a supplement of The Tampa (Fla.) ...
Oh man this is exciting. Another opportunity to separate me from what little money I have left. Let's see: My taxes get to double on my already inflated appraisal. For this honor I receive:
Garbage service? dismal quality of service compared to what I now get from C&M.
Police service? and this is an improvement over the county sheriff how?
Fire dept? Entirely satisfied with with tri-community who I freely support.
Sewer? Not in my lifetime or, most likely, my children's.
Will somebody give me a rational reason why I should want this? And I mean RATIONAL - not some fuzzy feelgood about supporting the community. I already do that by making the bulk of my expenditures in the city. The Mayor should be facing grand theft charges for even proposing this atrocious and blatant grab for our money. Mr Mayor I can't afford you.
Allow me to propose something to the City of Chattanooga. The City will provide to all proposed areas of annexation the following: FREE police service, FREE fire service, and FREE trash service.
Absurd? Yes! But no more absurd than the City of Chattanooga collecting additional taxes from us and offering ZERO in return. The City's proposal for annexation is clearly unbalanced. What they offer is a thinly veiled, corrupt, political agenda.
Or login with:
New Account