Property Rights, Growth Boundaries Issues at Long-Range Planning Meeting

Locals expressed fear and resistance over a revision to Chattanooga, Tennessee's urban growth plan.

1 minute read

November 20, 2011, 1:00 PM PST

By Tim Halbur


Reporter Mike Pare said the group was "small but vocal." Consultant planners attempted to assuage fears, saying the revisions to the plan would have no impact on property rights, but had little success:

"Chris Sinclair, of Renaissance Planning Group, said he doesn't see how a proposed 40-year growth plan could affect property rights.

"It's not about whether rights or any choices are taken away from you," he said."

Several commenters expressed fear that the United Nations' Agenda 21 would come and take control of their planning:

Truth_B_Known wrote that a consultant's statement quoted in the article: "...is almost ALL the proof we need that these people are working toward their goal of implementing Agenda 21! You're absolutely right...our constitutional property rights (along with all our other personal rights as citizens) MUST be protected at ALL costs!"

Saturday, November 19, 2011 in Chatanooga Times Free Press

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A crowd of people boarding Boston's green line in an underground subway station.

Boston has spent millions making the Green Line more accessible — and there’s no end in sight

While the city has invested millions into expanding and adding platforms to the Green Line to make it more accessible, new train cars set to arrive next year will be too tall for disabled passengers to board without raising the current platforms.

2 hours ago - Boston Globe

Railroad tracks in Idaho passing a home by a river.

Idaho may see an 18% drop in federal surface transit funding — the largest estimated cut in the US

Transit systems in rural communities are much more reliant on federal funding to provide their services.

3 hours ago - Grist

A Florida family with their belongings in a wagon walks past a destroyed storm after a hurricane.

How ‘post-disaster gentrification’ alters neighborhoods after natural calamities

After hurricanes, fires or other calamities, the original residents of a community are often replaced by younger, wealthier residents.

4 hours ago - Inside Climate News