Mayor Wamp addresses criticisms of deed restrictions swap

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp is responding to criticism over a proposed deed restriction swap involving McDonald Farm and Enterprise South Nature Park.

This is after his announcement that the county is looking at persevering 1,300 acres at the Sale Creek farm in exchange for opening up over 500 acres at Enterprise South Nature Park to potential development.

This has caused some controversy as several residents have voiced concerns about the impacts on trails at Enterprise South, nearby residences, and a historic cemetery off of I-75.

Mayor Wamp says that his team is carefully navigating these issues.

He said, “This doesn’t mean the trails would go away, it certainly doesn’t mean the cemeteries would go away. That’s illegal. There are state laws that protect cemeteries in Tennessee. That is obvious… We want to hear from the public. Our intent is not to get rid of a single trail at Enterprise South. Our intent is certainly not to disturb a single historic artifact, cemetery, and areas of significance.”

This plan still has not been formally introduced, and would have to be ultimately approved by the U.S. Department of Interior.