[Winona Online Democracy]
For nearly two years, Winona City Council has used the excuse to justify the Phillips development as it is just a bunch of NIMBys (Not In My Back Yard) trying to halt development. No longer can they hide behind this excuse. I am the only Spring Brook resident (A NIMBY in their books) that responded to the second EAW, all others live many miles from the Phillips development. Many are experts, this is not about NIMBYs, it never was but the City continues to ignore this. Environmental specialists have now responded twice to the EAW. This second time the message is stronger. These are experts in the area of conservation, geology, archeology, soil, natural resource and wildlife preservation, pollution control and others. State, County, and City experts; their motives are not to stop development. Many have no invested interest in Winona. They do however; have investment in responsible care and preservation of our natural resources. Phillips second EAW clearly ignores its responsibility. ·The stream was not studied one of the most controversial pieces of this property. Instead printed data of like streams were used to try and justify this development. ·Field studies were not completed to confirm the existence of rare and protected species of birds, reptiles and plants, yet other reports prior to the Phillips interest have confirmed this. ·Calcareous Fens are protected in Minnesota. Phillips own expert stated it was likely there are fens on this land, yet it was not studied. ·The development is slated to start in late spring. considerable months for nesting bird. Minnesota Rule states development cannot occur during this time unless plans are made to relocate nesting birds. No study or plan is in place. ·Home placement on bluffs and hills exceeds the recommended Minnesota sloping percentage recommendations and guidelines. ·Effects of run-off to the stream were not adequately studied, again Minnesota rule states a shoreland ordinance must be in place for develop of this type, the City has no shoreland ordinance for property of this type. ·Justification for high-end housing was not supported ·The City had a verbal agreement that the development would be finished by 2012 to justify the high cost of running the utilities to the property (they could start regaining the taxpayers money) yet the Phillips EAW has the develop going on indefinitely, 10 years, 20 years 30? ·Traffic issues were not addressed There are so many inadequacies in this study; they cannot all be listed in a small editorial. The study was a sham; Mr. Phillips did not get his moneys worth. The experts who are not NIMBYs have given the City of Winona their expert advice, twice now: Dont follow through on this development; raise the study to an EIS (Environmental Impact Study) or an AUAR. Its time to listen not only to the experts but to the Nimbys as well. Save the taxpayers money and back off on this development. It will only continue to cost the taxpayers millions of dollars. It will not only be the cost of spending millions to run pipes to this land, but as the experts continue to say, the development will continue be to an expensive nuisance to the city tax payers. It will be a dramatic loss and devastating impact to natural resources and the environment. I will urge you taxpayers once again to call your City Council and ask them to put a stop to this development. Janice Turek _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
