June 6, 2006

  This letter is in response to a June 4, letter from S. Statler regarding the development at Young's Farm.  I must be one of those brainwashed folks she was referring to, because I believe that we should have a general plan in place before we have a patchwork quilt of unfettered growth.  What Ms Statler failed to tell you is that Dave Statler has before the Planning & Zoning Commission a request for a spot rezoning of their property for commercial development.  Of course she is for the rapid pace of zoning that the Mayor and some council members are pushing for Dewey/Humboldt.

  What is it that you do not understand about having some sort of plan in place before we allow developers to determine our future?  Already, at light speed, our mayor & some council members have approved a spot manufacturing zone in a commercial area, increased spot zoning of a residential area to a commercial area for a strip mall along hwy 169 and with more to come. I agree with you Ms Statler smart growth is the way to proceed and these fore mentioned examples are not the way to go.

  Monogram's current proposal is only one of many they or others might want to proceed with on the Young's Farm property.  We, the town, can let the developers know what we would like to have in our rural town & I don't believe 580 homes on that property is the way to go.   Let Monogram, or other developers know what we want, and that's where having a plan comes into focus.

 As for your comments on septic systems I believe you are ill informed on modern design & installation of septic systems.  I suggest you go to (tinyurl.com/fs2ds) and read their report.  Their conclusion is that modern septic systems have accomplished the goals set out by the EPA.  They are simple in design but effective in cost efficiency as well as environmentally responsible.  They require no energy to operate & are truly a wonder of nature.  The bad reputation they receive is due to poor design is not deserved.

  The real reason Monogram wants a treatment plant is so they can put higher density housing on the Young's property, along with the future possibility of higher density outside Young's farm area in the Dewey/Humboldt area.  Is this what we envision for the future of our area?  What is your vision of Dewey/Humboldt in 2030 or do you really care?  I would hope we would be an oasis in this valley more like the rural community we have been in the past & a beacon for the future development of our town & valley.
 

D. Ronald Fox, Citizen


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