Thursday, March 11, 2010
Editorial: Go, tell it on Mill Mountain
Roanoke tries a new way to gauge public support on an old issue. The public should weigh in on the future of Mill Mountain.
From the RoundTable blog
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Should a blanket of protection be placed on Mill Mountain to keep further development at bay? All of it, including the top? Or just the slopes? If not the entire mountain, how much of a doughnut hole should be left at the peak for future development?
If you have something to say as Roanoke develops a conservation easement for Mill Mountain, then you really should drop by one of two upcoming public information sessions at the Mill Mountain Discovery Center.
The format for these meetings is different than the usual city forum in order to allow people to have a say without tying up an entire evening, waiting for their turn at the mike.
Unlike previous meetings hosted by the city Parks and Recreation Department, where staff would present a project, followed by a question-and-answer session, these meetings will be more informal.
"This time we're having a drop-in session, a window of time where we will be there to answer questions and talk one-on-one," said Donnie Underwood, parks and greenways planner.
The new format should help to boost both attendance (since those with only a few minutes to spare can still go) and participation (as people often are reluctant to speak before a crowd).
When city council last entertained an idea for Mill Mountain -- the building of a restaurant -- a passionate and often unfocused debate ensued. This time, as city council considers protecting all or parts of the mountain from further development with a conservation easement, a more focused and organized way of gathering public opinion would be helpful.
Surveyors are in the midst of mapping all of the parcels. With this information, council should have a better idea of the lay of the land and its features to decide what to preserve and what, if anything, to set aside to allow further amenities.
For now, "there's no line drawn in the sand," Underwood said. His department is collecting opinions about whether there should be an easement or other ways to preserve the mountain. Or, maybe there will be people who don't see the need for any protection.
In addition to the two meetings, the department will post a survey online, at roanokeva.gov, for those who want to weigh in but can't do so in person.
Choices made now could affect how Mill Mountain will appear in perpetuity. Speak now, or forever hold your peace.
