Orange County residents are speaking out in support of the visioning study proposed for the Wilderness Battlefield gateway area and recently endorsed by the King family. Two recent Letters-to-the Editor appeared in the local papers by citizens in support of the planning study because they understand that it is a way of finding the best possible solution for Orange County, and they also get that the King family, major landowners in the county, endorsing and participating in the process is a big deal that lends more legitimacy to the proposed study. Now, if only Orange County shared their foresight and understanding of the situation everyone would be in a lot better shape.
Here is a Letter that appeared in the Orange County Review:
Preservation/development cooperation
To the editor,
The letter recently sent to Lee Frame, chairman of the Orange County supervisors, signed by the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition and the King/Dodson development group concerning land use in eastern Orange County is a very positive step for economic growth in Orange County while preserving the county’s historic and tourism assets.
I applaud this spirit of cooperation.
The preservationists recognize the need for sustainable economic development in Orange County and a major land owner acknowledged the need for development compatibility with the battlefields and the national parks in the area. Hopefully other land owners, developers, elected officials and business organizations will join in this vision.
This agreement is a good start on a partnership between property owner, developers, and preservationists that will lead to a great future for the Germanna corridor.
And here is a letter that appeared in the Free Lance-Star:
Wilderness ‘common ground’ a step forward
Something remarkable happened recently. For the first time I know of, historic preservationist groups, Charles King, and businessman Ken Dotson were able to come together and sign a letter of understanding [“Major landowner joins Gateway push,” April 3].
This letter lays out a way to move forward in the standoff between preserving and protecting historic ground in Orange County and the county’s desperate need for jobs and revenue.
Both groups have worked hard to try to understand each other’s point of view.
This conflict is about more than Wal-Mart. If Orange County cannot move forward with a long-range plan to sustain economic viability, the whole county will suffer.
The preservation groups have offered to pay for a plan to study a way to attain the goals of the developers and protect Orange historic sites.
I can see little downside to moving ahead with this plan. It would show good faith on the part of the county and the preservationists.
No one knows for sure what the study would say, but the county could still move ahead with the plan as is, if the Board of Supervisors did not like the recommendations.
As I understand the proposal, the results would not be binding on the county.
It has been reported that some in the county believe this study is just a delaying tactic, and perhaps it is. But I think we need to have faith that the preservation groups are acting in good faith.
Let’s take a chance and use this common ground that has been formed. If we don’t, both sides will go back to having conflict, and that is not good for Orange County.
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