HCRAA Lawsuit Halts City's First Annexation

The city's annexation plans may be put on hold for a while.

The first of what is expected to be a series of legal challenges was filed in Chancery court this afternoon.

Hamilton County Residents Against Annexation say they are gaining support everyday.

The organization last month hired a Knoxville attorney with a reputation of winning most of his annexation cases. That attorney, David Buuck, today sent paperwork to Chancery court challenging the first of a series of annexations---in this case it was Ramsgate and a few homes in Hixson.

KYLE HOLDEN, CHAIR HCRAA "For every zone that comes up if the residents of those areas wish for us to act on their behalf, then we'll take care of them."

Mayor Ron Littlefield hasn't seen the actual lawsuit, but he says he's not surprised.

MAYOR RON LITTLEFIELD, CHATTANOOGA "This is not an unexpected move..and in fact, going through the whole process we anticipated this would happen."

But, if the city was looking to finish annexing 10 areas in 2009, this will likely slow the process, possibly for a year or more. But Kyle Holden says he fully expects to win the lawsuits.

KYLE HOLDEN "We know that the city is in a financial situation now where its going to be difficult for them to provide services in a timely manner. It's unfair for these residents to pay property taxes..when in reality they are not going to get the services."

MAYOR LITTLEFIELD "The question is, what effect will this have on the citizens that are in limbo all this time...without the fire protection ...and the services. "

One area that will not be challenged is Cummings Cove.

Holden says residents of the gated community in Lookout Valley decided not to fight annexation.

HCRAA board member Bill Reesor, who lives in Windstone says he expects the lawsuit to bring in more support.

BILL REESOR, BD. MEMBER OF HCRAA "We've got the best attorney on annexation lawsuits in the state of Tennessee and every time that gets before the public ...our donations probably double or triple in a given day."

One area that will not be challenged is Cummings Cove. Holden says residents of the gated community in Lookout Valley decided not to fight annexation.