GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN) -- Plans to bring the first new marina to Old Hickory Lake in 70 years could be on the verge of stalling.

Gallatin’s city council is holding a public hearing Tuesday evening to discuss the highly-controversial Foxland Harbor Marina project, which would bring boat slips, condos, a restaurant, and other amenities to the lake’s north end. 

However, a group that was created in opposition of the marina tells News 2 they’ve discovered new information that could swing the proposal in their favor. 

The "Friends of Old Hickory Lake” say the marina’s developer is allegedly going against the lease he already signed with the Army Corp of Engineers, who own and have final say over the waterfront property. 

“We had to work for 10 months to get documents from the federal government; we finally got them last week,” explained Tom Lee, an attorney representing the ‘Friends Of’ group. “And what they show is that this developer, who’s making promises right now to the Gallatin city council, has also made some promises to the federal government.” 

As Lee learned upon reading the documents, the developer is, in essence, presenting two different plans: one to Gallatin, and one to the Army Corp of Engineers.

“There are enormous differences in the two plans. The plan that he sold to the Corp of Engineers doesn’t have a large restaurant, doesn’t have a multi-purpose building, and it doesn’t have 4 condominiums,” Lee explained. “The project he sold to the city (however) has condominium buildings, and here’s the problem: federal law says that’s impossible in a Corp of Engineer project.”

In short, Lee said the developer has been selling a false product to the city of Gallatin; making promises they aren’t, legally, allowed to keep. 

“I’m confident it should change the way it’s going because people who want public access to public property deserve it,” said Lee. “That’s the purpose of a Corp lease, is to give a business person the opportunity to develop that property, somewhat, so that more people can use it. As soon as you block that off with 112 private residences, you’ve ceased making it available to the public.” 

“Every legislative process, there’s give and take; this a legislative process. But, in most legislative processes, what you don’t have is a deal you’ve already signed,” added Lee. 

News 2 called, emailed, and stopped by the developer-- Goodall Homes-- main location in Gallatin. At the time of this publication, we have yet to hear back. 

Gallatin City Council is set to hold their public hearing on the Foxland Harbor project at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/controversial-gallatin-marina-project-faces-new-hurdle-as-city-holds-public-hearing/