If you have driven up Signal Mountain Road to the top of the mountain even once, you can fully appreciate the stupidity of locating a large convenience store and gas station in the first major curve going up the mountain at the intersection of Glendale Drive and Signal Mountain Road. Not only would it be true irresponsibility on the part of the city of Chattanooga to allow large commercial development to creep up the mountain into this scenic residential area, it is a dangerous location on many levels. Glendale Drive residents and Signal Mountain residents are outraged at the proposition and have become vigilant in their work to inform neighbors about the facts and implications of this development.
Recognizing among other issues the danger of planting a large commercial development at this intersection as you start up Signal Mountain, Chattanooga’s Regional Planning Agency has already made their professional recommendation to deny rezoning this land from residential to commercial. Additionally, the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission unanimously voted against the rezoning at their May 4 meeting. However, the final vote on this rezoning and proposed development (Re-zoning Case #2016-077) will take place Thursday, June 14, 6 p.m. at the City Council Assembly Room of the City Council Building.
Despite the outpouring of opposition, Houchens Industries is, in essence, telling the public, “Ready or not, here we come.” Just one day ago, Glendale Drive residents received a postcard inviting them to a “community meeting to provide input to Councilman Chip Henderson regarding the proposed Crossroads [IGA] Market at the foot of Signal Mountain.” This community meeting will be held Monday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Mountain Creek Baptist Church. While the postcard does not indicate who is doing the inviting, Houchens Industries Facebook link states the following:
“Councilman Chip Henderson is hosting a community meeting about our project. You are invited to join us on Monday, May 23, from 5:30- 6:30 p.m. at the Mountain Creek Baptist Church located at 1001 Mountain Creek Road to learn more about the project, ask questions and provide input to us.”
Furthermore, on this same Houchens Industries Facebook link, they state: “We’re excited about what the future holds for this site. We believe the community deserves a place that reflects the beauty of the area, inside and out. That’s why you’ll soon be seeing mountain stone with landscaping that will provide a warm welcome to our customers. You’ll also notice that we’re paying attention to additional details. Our outside lights will shine downward and will be limited to our property. We know a good night’s sleep begins with a dark room. We also know it begins with quiet. That’s why our market’s hours will be from 6 a.m.-11 p.m. #?GoodNeighborsStartHere?”
Ummm. Does Houchens Industries know something that we don’t know? Sounds like they are ready to break ground next week. Do they realize the Chattanooga City Council has not yet made a decision? Or maybe we should be asking…have they?
Chattanooga and Signal Mountain neighbors, if you would like to voice your concerns over the rezoning at Signal Mountain Road and Glendale Drive, be at Monday’s meeting.
Wendi Morgan
Signal Mountain
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"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety," - Benjamin Franklin
Jerry Hickey
Chattanooga