The Friends of Wears Valley is an incorporated non-profit 501(c)3 organization which promotes the "long-term protection of our natural resources and cultural heritage, sustainable tourism in harmony with our mountain environment, and preservation of a high quality of life and enhanced visitor experience" in Wears Valley, Tennessee.
Example of what developers have done to ruin the scenic vista outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited park in America.
John Edwards July 28th, 2008
The Hillside Task Force met on July 8 and July 15, 2008.
Highlights of these meetings include:
Minutes from these meetings are available for download in Microsoft Word format (.doc):
John Edwards June 24th, 2008
The Hillside Task Force met on June 3, June 9, June 10, June 17 and June 24, 2008.
Highlights of these meetings include:
Minutes from these meetings are available for download in Microsoft Word format (.doc):
Hillside Task Force meeting minutes 06-03-08 (120)
Hillside Task Force meeting minutes 06-09-08 (21)
Hillside Task Force meeting minutes 06-10-08 (0)
John Edwards June 13th, 2008
The Hillsides and Ridges Committee will present to the Sevier County Commission for approval to regulate the building setbacks, distance between, visibility from the main routes to the mountains.
The presentation is available to download in PowerPoint format (.ppt):
John Edwards May 27th, 2008
The Hillside Task Force met on May 6, May 13, May 20 and May 27, 2008.
Highlights of these meetings include:
Minutes from these meetings are available for download in Microsoft Word format (.doc):
Hillside Task Force meeting minutes 05-06-08 (0)
Hillside Task Force meeting minutes 05-13-08 (0)
John Edwards May 12th, 2008
The High Bridge development planned on Cove Mountain in Wears Valley is back on the Sevier County Planning Commission agenda in a meeting set for May 13, 2008. The last time the proposal was discussed, those opposed to the development, such as the Friends of Wears Valley, turned out in force and have promised to do so again.
Southern Design Group has submitted a plan for the property that includes 400 homes on 750 acres in the first phase of the development, with hundreds of acres marked for future development. Those opposing the project spoke out on a number of issues when it first appeared before the Planning Commission last year. Among their objections is the planned unit development’s proposed vehicle access, off Scottish Highland Way. The plan was previously denied by the Planning Commission as the private road sits on a 40-foot right of way, shy of the 50 feet the county requires for roads serving PUDs.
Read more about it in the Mountain Press: Cove Mountain development back before county planning commission.
John Edwards May 5th, 2008
The Hillside Task Force met on April 1 and April 15, 2008.
Highlights of these meetings include:
Minutes from these meetings are available for download in Microsoft Word format (.doc):
John Edwards April 3rd, 2008
The Hillside Task Force met on March 5 and March 18, 2008.
Highlights of these meetings include: election of officers, determining a meeting schedule, purpose of the group, as well as the group’s agenda, enforcement, goals and guiding principles.
Also discussed were:
Minutes from these meetings are available for download in Microsoft Word format (.doc):
John Edwards March 29th, 2008
Below is one example of why “mega” developments should be banned from building in areas where there are no public water system. The developer followed the existing Sevier County rules for PUD developments and was able to place the buildings too close for safety. The fire started in one structure and quickly spread to the others. The rentals were not occupied when the fire started. Firefighters used water from the swimming pool and nearby water tanks. Guests had rented one of the nearby structures and moved when the fire started.
Two cabins were completely destroyed and two more were damaged. Of the two damaged cabins, one of them is most likely a total loss, as the logs are charred and there is severe smoke damage inside. It took The following firefighting companies to contain the blaze:Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the Sevier County Volunteer Fire Department.
The blaze could be seen for miles.
All that is left are the foundations.
This structure will probably be torn down.
The heat was so intense that the windows and blinds melted.
John Edwards November 23rd, 2007
The Nature Conservancy and the state of Tennessee have completed the largest conservation transaction in the state since the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1930s — to protect nearly 130,000 acres of majestic hardwood forests, mountains and streams on the Cumberland Plateau:
- The area saved — three times the size of the District of Columbia — also links to 66,000 acres of existing public lands.
- The result is a wildlife corridor amounting to 300 square miles of protected forestland for black bear, elk, white-tailed deer, turkey and numerous migratory songbirds such as the cerulean warbler and the wood thrush.
- All 193,000 acres of these lands are now also open to the public for recreation, including hunting, hiking and fishing.
- Nearly 11,000 acres purchased by the Conservancy and the state, on the north and east boundaries of Frozen Head State Natural Area.
- 75,000 acres of timber rights purchased for both segments of the Sundquist Wildlife Management Area. Acquired in 2003, these forested state lands were in danger of being cut drastically by any timber companies that acquired the rights.
- 42,000 acres of conservation easements purchased on timber company lands, restricting cutting to no more than new growth and allowing public access.
John Edwards November 20th, 2007
Greg Johnson is a freelance writer who writes weekly opinion columns for the Knoxville News Sentinel and the Sevier County Mountain Press.
Greg Johnson’s Cove Mountain Compromise is an excellent source for reading more about conservancy efforts in Wears Valley.
The Friends of Wears Valley invites everyone to read a few of his articles:
Friends of Wears Valley
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