The value of state park exceeds that of golf course
Regarding the excellent article on the Haw River State Park (Aug. 26): Two points can be added to the long list of objections to the proposed Bluegreen project.
Previously, you carried an excellent article about the pollution of Lake Jordan by the waters of the Haw River. According to the article, it would take millions of dollars to clean up the lake.
Second, in 2006, both Guilford and Rockingham counties entered an agreement that new water-treatment facilities would not be put within 500 feet of rivers.
Why would we approve this project, which is counter to a mutual agreement made one year ago, and when the company is a proven polluter?
We have the opportunity to preserve a new, growing state park, which would be a hallmark for Guilford and Rockingham counties and serve the citizens of North Carolina. We already have 52-plus golf courses in the Guilford County area (three within five miles of this proposed site). Protect, preserve and grow the already-designated greenway. Haw River State Park or a gated private golf community? For me, Haw River State Park.
Robert Cook
Browns Summit
Comments (2)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
What's the best use of Robert Cook's house? For him to live in or for the rest of us to have killer parties in? For me, it's the party idea.
But even though I'd rather have a party house that I could trash at will, Robert Cook OWNS his has and has things called PROPERTY RIGHTS. He probably likes them for himself, but doesn't seem to care for them when others have them.
Posted on September 3, 2007 3:24 AM
Brian444 I know that someone in LTTE comments yesterday mentioned about the State's ability of eminent domain but that is not being raised by anyone connected with the Haw River State Park. The property owners have already signed contracts to sale their land to the Bluegreen development group. That contract, however, is dependent on several factors including rezoning, special permits to remove significant water from the Haw River, community septic system permits, water line extension approval from Rockingham County (at significant expense to Rockingham County), etc. That rezoning and special permit process is underway but is far from being resolved. In fact the infrastructure expense to both Rockingham and Guilford County for this 775 house development at the edge of both counties could prove very expensive to tax payers. Including water line extension, new fire department, widening of Church St. and areas of Hwy 150, plus additional class space in the areas primary, middle and high schools that are currently almost at full capacity.
What is now good for the property owners is that they have a second, eager, alternative buyer, N.C. Depart. of Environment and Natural Resources, willing to pay the full market value as determined to a large extent by Bluegreen's development. So now the property owners have two real buyers in the wing. If all of the hoops that Bluegreen must jump through for this project along the banks of the Haw River are not approved their contract will be terminated. The land owners then will have another fine option.
Also funds for the expansion of the Haw River State Park are of little drain on the State's budget. Money for the huge land acquisition needed for the long term development of the HRSP will likely come from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, supported by a portion of the state's tax on real estate deed transfers. Other funding comes from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund.
Posted on September 3, 2007 2:23 PM