The gondola's main argument is that it takes cars off Lookout Mountain. Those cars are routed through St. Elmo and Flintstone instead.

What's being proposedA permanent change to Lookout Mountain's zoning rules

Rock City has asked Lookout Mountain, Georgia to permanently amend its zoning ordinance to allow gondolas and similar aerial passenger conveyance systems. The proposed gondola would run from Flintstone (271 Chattanooga Valley Road) up to 1400 Patten Road on the mountain, with a stated goal of growing annual attendance from roughly 500,000 today to more than 800,000 per year.

Why this matters for the valley-side neighborsThe traffic argument only works because the cars are rerouted

Rock City's case for the gondola is that it takes cars off the mountain: about 3,000 fewer vehicles per day on Ochs Highway at peak, according to a 180-page traffic study Rock City commissioned from Kimley-Horn. Where do those cars go? According to the study's own conclusions, as reported by WGOW-FM on February 5, the displaced traffic would be:

"...dispersed via Battlefield Parkway and St. Elmo Avenue."

The benefit Rock City is selling to Lookout Mountain works because the cars are pushed through St. Elmo and Battlefield Parkway instead. St. Elmo, Flintstone, and the surrounding neighbors are being asked, without being asked, to absorb the trade.

What we don't knowKey questions about the traffic study haven't been answered

The full traffic study hasn't been released. Two questions matter for the communities absorbing the rerouted cars.

Is the study based on current visitor volume or projected post-gondola volume? Rock City draws roughly 500,000 visitors per year today. Their stated post-gondola target is more than 800,000, with 3% annual growth after that. Those produce very different traffic pictures.

Has anyone reviewed the methodology independently? No study by a party other than Rock City has been made public.

Until both questions are answered, these neighbors are being asked to trust a number whose underlying math hasn't been shown.

A useful detailLookout Mountain's own policy already commits the City to consider you

Lookout Mountain's Vision Statement includes Policy B.5:

"Lookout Mountain is aware that decisions that impact the natural environment may have a negative, physical effect on the surrounding ecosystem. These impacts has the potential to not only influence the immediate area within the boundaries of Lookout Mountain, but also those surrounding communities at a lower elevation."

The policy doesn't require consultation with St. Elmo, Flintstone, or the surrounding neighbors. It requires awareness. If you write to the City, this is a useful policy to mention. It's part of their published Vision Statement and Policies.

What these neighbors can doTwo things that make a difference

St. Elmo, Flintstone, and surrounding neighbors don't vote on this, but public comment from the communities absorbing the rerouted traffic is exactly the kind of input the Planning Commission and City Council should be weighing.

1. Get a yard sign

   Interested in a yard sign for your neighborhood? Reach out and we'll get one to you.

   Request a Yard Sign

2. Sign the neighborhood petition

   A petition from St. Elmo, Flintstone, and surrounding neighbors, brought to the City of Lookout Mountain, carries real weight. Add your name.

   Sign the Petition

Rock City's pitch to Lookout Mountain is that the gondola takes cars off the mountain. That pitch only works because the cars are being pushed through St. Elmo and the surrounding valley. These neighbors' voices belong in this decision.

Want to see the full case? Read the main citizens' note at nogondolalookout.com.