The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:03 PM

Walland Residents Concerned About Rezoning Of Blackberry Farms And Mountains

Blackberry Farm held a community meeting on Saturday where locals voiced their concerns and Blackberry tried to relieve worries.

"When it affects the community, that's when the community needs to be involved," Walland resident Charles Byerly said.

Byerly is one of hundreds who attended Blackberry's meeting. Folks said Blackberry Mountain's request to rezone will have a negative impact.

"They're doing beautiful things up there for their clients, but to rezone the whole area of the mountain they're talking about rezoning is unnecessary," Byerly said.

They're asking for more than 5,000 acres in Walland and Chilhowee Mountain to create more businesses. Unlike Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain, developments would be open to the public.

"Blackberry is a place that does care about this land and this community and if we know what is the issue out there, we're going to work to resolve that with the community," said Sarah Elder Chahbot, who is the marketing director for Blackberry Farm. "We want to provide a business and be a neighbor in the best way possible."

Locals said building more will increase taxes, traffic, and take away their quiet, scenic part of town.

"It becomes a problem not only for the view, but for the very reason people are coming to the mountains, is to see the mountains," said Byerly.

Residents like Charles understand progress is hard to stop, but they hope to come to a compromise. Charles has lived in Walland for 14 years and plans to stay for a long time.

"Until I leave this earth," said Byerly.

The County Agenda Committee will meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Room 430 at the Courthouse to discuss the rezoning request.