keep our parks public, accessible, and for the people.

 

What's happening? The Hamilton County Commission votes on May 27th on a new Parks and Recreation (P-R) Zoning District resolution.

As it’s currently written, this resolution could broadly open our public parkland to significant development, including new categories of commercial use.

Read the Full Resolution

Key Concerns and Questions

1. Unincorporated Hamilton County currently has no specified zoning to protect our parks and greenspaces. Does the proposed Parks and Recreation (P-R) Zoning District address this need?

In comparison, the City of Chattanooga's OS (Open Space) zone explicitly protects city parks from commercial development. Hamilton County has no equivalent designation. But rather than create zoning that protects the parks from development, the new P-R district would open any park over 50 acres to new commercial uses. 

See how the City's OS zone compares to the proposed P-R district.

2. What new commercial uses would be permitted on public parkland?

Permitted:

  • Restaurants and retail stores

  • Country clubs

  • Amusement parks

  • Farmers markets and commercial greenhouses

Allowed by special permit (“Rural Retreat”): 

  • Hotels and resorts

  • Conference centers

  • Bed and breakfasts

  • Communication towers


3. Could up to 30% of a given park be commercially developed? 

Any park over 50 acres could have up to 20% building coverage plus an additional 10% for accessory uses such as parking, totaling 30% of the land, with no cap on commercial principal use. To put that in perspective, 30% of Enterprise South Nature Park alone is over 800 acres of potential development. If your favorite park happens to be over 50 acres, imagine how these changes could apply to your recreation and green space. 


4. Why is this P-R Zoning District vote coming before Hamilton County has adopted their comprehensive plan?

The Hamilton County Commission is being asked to approve a new zoning district before Plan Hamilton, the county's comprehensive land use plan, has been formally adopted. This resolution was withdrawn once already, specifically to wait for Plan Hamilton. Why is it being brought to a vote now? 

Zoning is meant to follow a comprehensive plan. Without that foundation in place, there's no agreed upon guiding vision, no community-wide input, and no way to know how this district fits into the county's broader land use goals. We could be locking in rules before we've agreed on the vision.


5. Could this set a precedent for the City of Chattanooga and other Hamilton County municipalities? 

If Hamilton County adopts this P-R District and Special Permit zoning regulations, would other bodies follow that lead? The draft of Plan Chattanooga includes a new “Resort and Recreation” Place Type. The County’s decision could set a precedent that influences future decisions in other other municipal areas of our community. 


Save ESNP’s Position

While we are not opposed to thoughtful park enhancements and amenities, we are opposed to a blanket zoning regulation that could increasingly open our 50+ acre parks to private interests. Park development decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis, with community input, and in a way that honors the purpose and spirit of each park. 

Save ESNP advocates to keep our parks public, accessible, and for the people.

We find it concerning that significant portions of our public recreation and green spaces could become exclusionary based on cost. Times are tough, daily essentials are more expensive, families are squeezed. Our taxpaying community members deserve accessible, safe, well-cared-for public spaces that enhance our quality of life.

Take Action Before May 27th:

Contact Your Commissioner Today

The Hamilton County Commission votes on this resolution during the Wednesday, May 27th meeting.
Meeting starts at 5:00 PM at 625 Georgia Ave #401, Chattanooga, TN 37402.

Attend the May 27th Meeting

Show up if you can. Public comment matters.