A few thoughts about the Camerons' proposal:
1. A good design does make a development
proposal ethically/morally correct. Minimizing harm does
not translate into positive benefit. Harm is still harm.
2. The Camerons are making no concession. Residents
are getting no deal. Under existing zoning guidelines,
the Camerons would be allowed to build 26 units (80
acres divided by 3 acre minimum) at most. The Camerons
are proposing 25 units. Does this sound like a
concession?
3. A PUD at the edge of the City Area of
Development (errr...Impact) is inconsistent with
the desires of Latah County residents (last
measured in 1994). Does anyone have any
evidence that suggests otherwise?
4. A PUD *contiguous* to the City that would preserve
open space would be more tempting. That would
match up infrastructure extensions with open space
needs. The Cameron proposal "leap
frogs" other undeveloped areas and thus forecloses
certain future options that direction.
5. The development is precedent setting. Nothing
this size has been approved in the City Area of
Development. The burden of proof
lies with the developer to show a compelling and
overriding need to abandon the current planning
model.
6. Will the Camerons develop according to
existing rules if the PUD is not approved?
The north side experience says "yes" they will (they
took their 40 acres splits and ran with them). Has
anyone asked the north side residents if they would
prefer 2 or 4 houses per 80 acres or 25 houses? Does
anyone have evidence that a PUD
containing 25 homes would have less impact that
(2) 40 acres splits?
As a personal matter, I attended many hearings
with the Camerons on proposals north of town.
It is perhaps unfair to judge the Camerons based
upon what their lawyer (Andrew Schwam) said
at those meetings, but I assure you, Schwam got
very personal in these matters. He was offensive and
he left a very bad taste in everyone's mouth.
It is my belief that the Camerons have no interest in
the community other than exploiting the market created
by the high quality lifestyle that Moscow affords, a lifestyle
that certain developers and City Councilmen are hell-bent
on destroying through their "good intentions" and "civic
mindedness." I will entertain any evidence to the contrary.
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Greg Brown (gregb@siu.edu)
Asst. Professor, Dept. of Forestry
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 453-7465