The new town center plan was unveiled Thursday night at a meeting of the Lookout Mountain, Ga., City Council.
There was quite a large turnout in the audience with the anticipation of the revelation and discussion of the long-discussed plan.
Architect and Lookout Mountain, Ga., resident Mike McGowan presented his drawings of the plan, and they received rave reviews from council members and the mayor.
The plan includes new facilities for city hall, police and fire departments as well as buildings designed for office, retail, food service and medical office space. In keeping with the character of the architecture found on the mountain, Mr.
McGowan’s drawings show the new site resembling the architectural styles of Rock City, Fairyland Club, Chanticleer Inn, and Covenant College.
Mayor Bill Glascock and council members praised Mr. McGowan and the new site plan and are planning to discuss the next phase planning in the coming month. Mayor Glascock invites residents who want to view the plans to see them in the city hall lobby where they will be displayed.
Mayor Glascock had the council members approve the minutes of the meeting held on Jan. 19 and a special meeting that was held the morning of Feb. 7. The latter meeting was called to discuss a city services strategy that Walker County requires from all municipalities. City Manager Brad Haven is reviewing and putting together all of the services the city provides to report to the county. The mayor explained this is required by Walker County and is something done annually.
Robert Newkirk of Diversity Company, an energy brokerage firm ,reported to the council that he represents a company that searches for the best rates and services for energy resources. With deregulation in the state of Georgia on the providers of things like natural gas and electricity there are now more option available, Mr. Newkirk explained. Mr. Newkirk has been in contact with Brad Haven about finding ways to make the city’s personal utility use more efficient and economical. He left information about his services municipalities, residential and business uses at city hall for anyone who wants more information.
Also present was the proprietor of the Chanticleer Inn, Robert Hart. The council discussed the recent change to his signage that has been updated in front of the inn. Based on Mr. Hart’s understanding of the ordinance he made necessary updates and improvements to his sign without council or planning commission approval and Mayor Glascock and city attorney Bill Pickering explained why that was inappropriate based on the ordinances. While no one on the council dislikes the aesthetic look of the sign the mayor requested that Mr. Hart please notify the council and planning commission of any potential structural changes that will be made to the exterior of the building or the property.
The city has been looking at new possibilities for street signs for the city. One possibility has been installed at the bottom of Mother Goose Trail at the Wood Nymph Trail intersection. It received accepting reviews from council members. However, the council is considering all options to replace the deteriorating wooden street signs. Derek Forrester has been researching signage that will conform to new state regulations.
Mr. Forrester also said that a fire hydrant is needed for the 1700 block of Wood Nymph Trail. He explained that with the council’s permission Tennessee American Water will install the fire hydrant at no cost to the city. The council gave permission for the new hydrant.
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