Developer postpones Walden development after resident opposition

A standing only crowd on the issue of a proposed development at Spangler Farm.

WALDEN, Tenn. (WDEF)- On the top of Roberts Mill Road along Walden’s Ridge, sits the Spangler Farm.

Over a thousand of its neighbors do not want to see it turned into a neighborhood.

Developer James Lea, who is looking to develop the farm, told the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency, “So we thought this was a great plan, we were excited about it. We thought people would be excited about it… We see now that this is not appreciated, and our excitement is not shared.”

A standing room only crowd came out to the monthly planning agency meeting Monday to voice their concerns about potential problems caused by 185 planned new farms at Spangler Farms.

One concern is the safety of Roberts Mill Road, as it is a winding mountain road that has many sharp curves.

Neighbor Barry Glasscock told commissioners, “Tennessee crash data for Roberts Mill Road from 2014 to May 2024 includes the following: 169 total crashes. 26 crashes with injury. One crash with fatality. 142 crashes with property damage.”

Spangler Farms as it sits now is a quaint piece of property, including this very large pond right behind me.

Neighbors wonder if this development is allowed to be built, what effects it would have on water quality in the area.

Neighbor Tommy Farmer told commissioners, “With an estimated output of potentially 50,000 gallons of human waste per month… This is a significant risk to my family’s well system, which has provided us with safe drinking water for over 30 years.”

Concerns were also raised over how it affects nearby creeks.

Susan Crowell, who is on the board of the North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy, said, “Our concern is that a major tributary to the North Chickamauga Creek is Rogers Creek, and it actually starts according to some of the records the developer has provided, starts in the development. We’re concerned about any kind of failure of any kind of new septic system or even any kind of septic systems for that matter with type of density.”

Lea elected to withdraw citing these concerns, saying, “We have a lot of work to do apparently, and a lot of studying to do. We need to meet with the Conservancy, and study what is feasible and what will work on this site. “