Victory: Council Votes 3 to 2 to Deny On September 21, the City Council voted 3 to 2 to deny Rock City's proposed zoning amendment. After nearly two hours of deliberation focused on the community's long-term wellbeing, they sided with the Planning Commission and with the more than 1,137 neighbors who spoke up. Thank you to everyone who showed up, wrote letters, and wore red. The work isn't over, but this is a real win.
A Citizens' Note on the Rock City Gondola

The Council voted 3 to 2. Lookout Mountain said no to the gondola.

On September 21, after nearly two hours of deliberation weighing the town's long-term future, the City Council denied Rock City's zoning amendment. This is a win for every neighbor who signed, wrote, and showed up. The work isn't over, but today we're just grateful.

We loved Rock City through all of this (and the people who work there!). This was never about that. It was about protecting our mountain and our streets.

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Your 30-second summary

Here's what happened, and where to go for more.

  1. 1. The result: The City Council voted 3 to 2 on September 21 to deny Rock City's gondola.
  2. 2. The full case: Read our memorandum to the Council.
What Happened?

Council denies Rock City's request

The Lookout Mountain, Georgia Planning Commission thoroughly researched Rock City's proposed nine-phase gondola system and voted 5 to 2 on June 10 to recommend denying the zoning amendment to Ordinance No. 292. With that recommendation, the matter moved to the City Council for a final decision.

The Council deferred taking action in June, took no vote in July, and postponed through August before scheduling a Special Meeting for Monday, September 21. After nearly two hours of deliberation weighing the town's immediate and long-term future, the Council voted 3 to 2 to deny Rock City's proposed zoning amendment, siding with the Planning Commission's recommendation.

More than 1,137 neighbors across Lookout Mountain, Flintstone, and St. Elmo signed our petitions and wrote letters to the Council. Residents also turned out in red at public meetings throughout this campaign to make their voices heard in person. On September 14, we sent the Mayor and City Council a formal memorandum on behalf of those petitioners, laying out why the proposed amendments didn't hold up against the City's own review standards. Read the full memorandum →

Thank you to everyone who made this happen. This is a real win for our community.

Here's what was in the news

1.

The Chattanoogan — "Lookout Mountain, Ga., Gives Thumbs Down To Rock City Gondola Project"

After a two-hour, packed-out meeting, the Council voted 3 to 2 against allowing the gondola. One council member pointed to over a thousand petition signatures and hundreds of letters from residents. Another said she couldn't find anyone to explain the benefit to the community, only to Rock City. Rock City says it still intends to build outside city limits at Blowing Springs Farm if it moves forward.

Read the article
2.

NewsChannel 9 (WTVC) — "Lookout Mountain council blocks Rock City gondola plans within city limits"

The decision came after about two hours of debate. One resident called it "democracy and civic action working as it's supposed to." Rock City owner Doug Chapin said the company has no immediate next steps and will take the next few months to decide how to move forward.

Read the article
3.

Times Free Press — "Video: Lookout Mountain City Council Denies Rock City Gondola Amendments"

Read the article
4.

WDEF — "Lookout Mountain City Council Votes No To Rock City's Proposed Gondola"

Read the article