Newport aldermen approve annexation of golf-course and adjacent parcel amid mining, operations assurances

Newport’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted 4-1 on June 30 to approve Resolution 2025-10, annexing two parcels offered for voluntary annexation that include the closed golf course at 1220 Golf Course Road and an adjacent rock-quarry parcel.

The annexation followed a public hearing in which residents and property owners expressed sharply divided views about potential mining and the future of the golf course. The board considered a signed memorandum of understanding with the property owner that the city says binds the owner to operate or lease the golf course, gives the city a first right of refusal if the owner later decides to sell, and requires mining operations to follow Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) permit conditions and other mitigation measures.

Supporters of the annexation, including residents who said they value the golf course as a community amenity, urged the board to accept the petition and the written commitments. Geraldine Bridal, who said she is in the mobile-home business and lives locally, told the board: "please vote yes for the golf course, to save whatever you have to do to save the golf course." Dennis Williams, who said he worked in the pro shop until it closed, described the course as a regional draw and said "we need it." Other speakers said annexation would preserve local investment and give the city tools to protect the property.

Opponents focused on the risk of mining and potential impacts to nearby homes. John Bell, who said his office is on Lincoln Avenue and who spoke during the hearing, disputed whether the quarry parcel adjoins the city boundary and questioned the zoning requested in the sworn petition. Bell read from the petition and said property owners "seek appropriate mining activities zoning for the above parcels," adding, "we ask that you vote no to the voluntary annexation." Several residents urged the board to prevent mining of the golf-course parcel.

City staff and the owner presented written protections and permit-related details. A city staff member, Gary Carvey, summarized permit requirements he said are imposed by TDEC and other regulators, saying: "The biggest thing that I see and the biggest thing that TDEC seems to, stress as important is water retention and water treatment before the water is discharged back into ... English Creek in this instance." Carvey also said blasting and explosives must meet standards overseen by the fire marshal and that operators must follow reporting and monitoring requirements.

Ian Holbeck, who identified himself during the meeting as the property owner, told the board: "I have no intentions of mining the golf course. You're hearing it from me. I want to put it on the record. That's as dead as dead issue as it's gonna be." The memorandum of understanding discussed at the meeting includes a provision the city said gives it first right of refusal if the owner decides to sell and requires the owner, if mining proceeds under permit, to locate mining operations away from residential areas and to implement dust and other mitigation measures.

After discussion the board moved to annex the parcels. A motion to approve Resolution 2025-10 was seconded and carried by a 4-1 vote. The board did not enumerate further ordinances or zoning changes during the vote; the annexation brings the parcels into city limits and, according to officials, makes the memorandum of understanding enforceable as a recorded agreement between the city and the property owner.

The board meeting record shows the city relied on TDEC permit conditions and the fire marshal's monitoring for environmental and blasting safeguards. The memorandum presented to the board stated the owner will resume or arrange operation of the golf course "as soon as possible, and will continue operations indefinitely," or will allow the city a 90-day period to arrange interim operation or lease if the owner ceases operations, with an exception if doing so is not financially feasible for the city.

Motion and vote at a glance Resolution number: 2025-10 — "to annex certain territory upon written consent of the owners and to incorporate the same within the boundaries of the City of Newport, Tennessee." Outcome: approved, 4-1.

What remains open The annexation itself does not change the specific zoning or final permit decisions for mining activity; any mining would require separate permits administered by TDEC and other relevant regulators, and the memorandum’s mitigation commitments will be the primary contractual protections recorded with the annexation. The city did not specify a timetable for enforcing or recording further zoning or lease agreements at the meeting.

This report is based on the June 30, 2025 public hearing and subsequent board action recorded in the City of Newport special-call meeting.