Oct. 10--The Chattanooga City Council toured several proposed annexation areas Friday that included residential, commercial and industrial areas.

Some areas included in the three-hour tour were the subdivisions of Hurricane Creek, Stonewall Farms and Windstone, where annexation efforts were recently suspended while Mayor Ron Littlefield awaits an answer on whether Hamilton County officials want to talk about a full consolidation of the two governments.

Mr. Littlefield said the reason for touring these areas is to give them a look in case talks with county officials break down.

"We offered to suspend (annexation of these areas) as long as we see a positive direction," Mr. Littlefield said.A positive direction for the consolidation efforts would be "just cooperation" by Hamilton County, he said.

Council members, Mr. Littlefield and city officials loaded onto a bus about 9 a.m. Friday, then drove to areas at the foot of Lookout Mountain, north Hixson and East Brainerd.

Near Lookout Mountain, city officials saw a vacant manufacturing plant that soon could become a part of the city. In Hixson, they visited Goldcrest and Stonewall Farms subdivisions, then traveled to state Highway 58 to look at commercial developments being considered for annexation.

The final stop was the East Brainerd area and the Hurricane Creek and Windstone subdivisions.

While the mayor has offered to suspend annexation of residential areas, Goldcrest subdivision in north Hixson would still be considered in ongoing annexation efforts, said Steve Leach, administrator of public works.

"We just didn't want to leave this an orphan area," he said.

Council Chairman Jack Benson asked if Goldcrest residents want to be annexed.

Councilwoman Pam Ladd immediately responded.

"No, they don't," she said.

Observing commercial properties along Highway 58 such as Family Dollar, Dollar General, Subway and two outdoor stores, Mr. Littlefield said the area would change drastically because of its close proximity to Enterprise South and the new Volkswagen assembly plant.

Annexation "makes a lot of sense," he said. "It's not the tax dollars we're going to get, it's the growth."

As the tour ended, Councilman Manny Rico said it was important for the council to see firsthand the potential areas impacted by city annexation.

"You really don't get an appreciation and understanding until you go out and see it," he said.

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