GALLATIN, Tenn. (WSMV) – More than 100 people attended a community meeting in Gallatin to share their thoughts on the new marina being built on part of Old Hickory Lake.

Some community members who spoke at the meeting said the marina could harm thousands of boat owners.

Many people at the hearing said they had signed a petition with more than 1,200 signatures against building the marina, but not everyone who attended the hearing was against the new marina plans. Some believe the marina will benefit the city.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers is proposing a plan to build the Marina at Foxland Harbor on Old Hickory Lake.

A man who spoke at the public hearing said he lived in Foxland Harbor and that it was not suitable for the new marina plans.

“Very close to Gallatin Marina. “It’s too shallow, it can’t handle 80-meter yachts, it can’t handle 65-meter yachts,” the man said.

Another person who spoke at the hearing shared that he did not approve of this situation. The man said, “I am against the construction of this marina and I think there are other places that could be better chosen.”

The public hearing lasted an hour and a half to allow as many people as possible to share their thoughts on the new marina plans.

“I live right across the street from Fairview Plantation Mansion,” said another man, who took the stage to share the proceedings. “How many boats or jet skis do you think can cross that lake at the same time? It’s dangerous.”

The Corps of Engineers said the new marina will have hundreds of boat slips, a new restaurant and nature walks.

Another participant said all this construction could cause problems for him.

“There will need to be a lot of scanning and I’m really worried about the scanning affecting my vision. “Eventually I won’t be able to get out of my cove,” the Foxland Harbor resident said.

Others who spoke at the hearing said the marina could beautify the area and bring in big business.

“I think this is good for the boating community. Having resided at the marina for 15 to 18 years, I believe the environmental impact will be minimal,” said another Foxland Harbor resident.

A man who said he has lived in the Foxland Harbor area for more than 10 years said that the marina was built to implement changes in the plans prepared by the Corps of Engineers.

“This will be the final piece. That’s the big development that’s brought development since 2007, and it’s almost complete now. ‘Man, I fully support the marina,’ he said. “Since 2007, Foxland Harbor has had the marina, a 200-seat restaurant and 210 seats at the entrance. It was planned and designed to accommodate more apartments.”

Although they hold a meeting to hear from community members, the Corps of Engineers makes the final decision on whether the marina will be built.

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