Minutes of the PUBLIC HEARING For the City Council of Lookout Mountain, Georgia March 16, 2009 PRESIDING: Thomas G. Gifford, Mayor PRESENT: Council Members David Fussell, David Bennett, Sandy Gothard, and Catherine Kelley. Also present were City Attorney Bill Pickering, Attorney Michael Stewart of Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, City Clerk Dana Driver and residents of the Lookout Mountain, Georgia and Tennessee communities. ABSENT: Dennis Eischeid CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Gifford called the Public Hearing to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Lookout Mountain Fairyland Club, 1201 Fleetwood Drive, Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Mayor Gifford announced that the purpose of the public hearing was to entertain questions and comments on adopting a PUD (Planned Unit Development) ordinance. This proposed PUD ordinance was developed as a result of a possible retirement center and a new Town Center in the City. The Mayor stated that a PUD ordinance would allow flexibility in the types and arrangements of land uses within the city limits. The Mayor outlined in a Power Point presentation the criteria the developer must consider, the application process and the approval process of a PUD. Over 250 attended the hearing and 23 people spoke before the Council and the public. Most people that presented were supportive of a PUD ordinance and were supportive of an assisted living facility on Lookout Mountain. There was a mix of opposition and support for the PUD Ordinance, the wording of it, and Chapelbrow although not officially the topic. There were 4 main areas of concern: 1. The language of the PUD and whether it is specific enough. 2. The need or wisdom in having a land planner involved in drafting the PUD ordinance. 3. A perceived need for the PUD to incorporate the city’s Comprehensive Plan. 4. The effects of development on the Mountain including traffic, erosion, storm water, and density. Topics mentioned more specifically included: 1) Provision for storm water runoff 2) The need for an expanded sewer system and related issues. 3) Concerns about existing sewer system 4) The impact of more traffic on our roads 5) The question of rather a more flexible or tighter PUD Ordinance is better. 6) The importance of a retirement community / assisted living for our elderly. 7) Let our elected officials do their job 8) The need for an updated Comprehensive Plan with citizen input. 9) Support for the PUD & Chapelbrow 10) Opposition to the PUD and Chapelbrow 11) The need for the PUD to deal with development that most acknowledged would come. The Mayor closed the meeting by thanking everyone for their interest, involvement and comments and assured them that the Council would consider all input, do their due diligence and act in the best interest of the city. There being no further questions the Public Hearing was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dana Driver City Clerk