The future of a proposed gondola to Rock City is expected to take a significant step forward next week as the Lookout Mountain Planning Commission prepares to issue its recommendation on the project.
The Planning Commission is scheduled to consider the proposal and provide its recommendation on June 10. However, the Lookout Mountain Town Council has not yet scheduled a vote on the matter.
According to city officials, the council’s regularly scheduled June 11 meeting is dedicated to budget discussions and training conducted by a representative of the Georgia Municipal Association. As a result, the gondola proposal will not be addressed during that meeting.
Town officials indicated the council cannot consider the project until it receives the Planning Commission’s recommendation in writing. Once that recommendation is submitted, a separate called meeting will be scheduled for council members to review the proposal and cast a vote. The meeting date will be announced through the town’s website and email notification system once it is finalized.
The proposal submitted by Rock City would establish a gondola system running from the attraction’s Blowing Springs Farm property in Chattanooga Valley to the mountaintop destination.
The project has generated significant public interest and opposition within the community. Numerous residents have displayed “No Gondola” signs in their yards as concerns about the development continue to be voiced throughout the area.
Rock City officials have previously stated that the attraction could move forward with a gondola project even if the town does not approve the current proposal. Under that scenario, the route would be shifted outside the town limits along the mountainside, a design company representatives contend could have a greater visual impact on nearby bluff properties.