My letter on the park decision

I sent this letter yesterday to Mayor Bob Staton and the village of Flat Rock council members.

Dear Mayor and Council members:

Since I won’t be able to attend the Monday evening meeting, I am sending you my comments here on the possible purchase of the Highland Lake Golf Club by the village of Flat Rock. I am in favor of this purchase for the following reasons:

• The Highland Lake Golf Club location is one of the entrances to the village of Flat Rock. Losing this location to increased development (even if some open space remains) will directly impact the “look and feel” of the village. Creation of a village park in general is not a high priority for me, but retaining the rural, pastoral character of the village is, and developing this location as a low impact, passive park helps keep that character.
• Although the village of Flat Rock is primarily residential with large lots, it has limited open space on its municipal boundaries. I agree with Doug Johnson’s point made at the Feb. 25 special council meeting that saving this property now as open space helps keep at bay any encroaching development later. I have lived in areas where development between communities has essentially over time obliterated any difference between those communities. The area then becomes one large urban/suburban tract. Flat Rock has a unique character, and by providing space between the village and the city of Hendersonville or any additional commercial development, a park can help maintain that character. There is no guarantee that the property would remain open space if bought by a private entity. The point has been made that of the 66 acres, almost two-thirds are in a flood plain and would not be developed. That is not necessarily true. While it would be very expensive and would require zoning variances, residential development of the flood plain area could be approved in the future, thereby eliminating any open space.
• The village population has almost doubled since 1990. Then, the population was 1,721 residents, and now (from 2011), the population is approx. 3,159, an increase of 83.5% (Henderson County Planning Department). I understand from what Bob Demartini has written that at incorporation in 1995, many residents wanted to make sure that village government stayed limited with no additional tax increases. I agree with that in principle, but the reality is that the village in 2013 is different from the village in 1995. The more people there are, the more demand for increased residential development and the greater loss of green space. I think the village council has an obligation to preserve the quiet pastoral nature of the village where it can to help mitigate some of the increased development. The golf course location is ideal for this because it is in an area that has seen much of the residential growth over the past decade.

There are some caveats to the purchase, however:

• The village of Flat Rock should be the only governmental body that has control over the park. Henderson County should not have any control over land the village buys. If the village decides the best option for maintenance is to contract with the county, the contract should relate to maintenance only.
• The property has been on the market for two years with no buyers. I believe strong negotiations on price are essential for the village to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money. The asking price is just that—an asking price, not a final amount. (Yes, the village council should be prepared to walk away if the price isn’t right.)
• I hope the village will work closely with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) on any entrance/exit requirements to keep the rural character of the roads in the area.
• The village should carefully monitor any grant applications to make sure the village is not giving up any control or committing to unknown expenditures if certain grant monies are accepted.

If the village does purchase the property for a park, it will change the relationship of the village council with the village residents. Certain expectations and obligations will be entered into, and there is the possibility of a property tax increase. All of that is not to discourage the purchase, but rather to say that if the property is purchased, we need to work together to create a park we can all enjoy while carefully managing the financial responsibilities.

Thank you.