HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment (3)BERG-JOHANSEN Erik
From: Marti G <martigerdes@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2016 7:20 AM
To: BERG-JOHANSEN Erik
Subject: Spring Blvd/Laurel Hill Valley/Mt. Baldy proposed development - re: Sept 21 meeting
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Hi Erik,
I'm writing to urge the City to preserve (and grow) Eugene's trail system in South Eugene area and to prevent
development where it will impinge on the area's rare and limited "wild" areas.
I understand developers continue to try to build in the Spring Boulevard, Laurel Hill Valley and Mount Baldy
areas. Eugene has few remaining natural areas, and none as truly wild-feeling as the areas along the Ridgeline
Trail. I hike the Ridgeline frequently (at least weekly) and have volunteered for trail maintenance, so I take
particular interest in seeing that we preserve natural areas like this where citizens can truly feel like they're out
in the wilderness when they're still in the city.
These areas especially benefit people who are carless or otherwise can't get out of town, or who simply don't
want to add to the carbon footprint to hike out out of town so keep their footprints literally local.The Ribbon
Trail, in particular, is a perfect getaway in this regard because a bus stop is so nearby. To add housing in this
area would destroy what is now a delightful resource the City and all citizens should be incredibly proud of and
work hard to preserve.
Eugeneans are so fortunate to have a trail system like the Ridgeline so close; it's an uncommon perk of living
here. I hope the City will continue to realize what a gem we have in the trail system and do all it can to prevent
development that will change the nature of this rare trail environment.
I can't attend the Sept. 21 meeting, but please include my support for continued preservation of the Ridgeline
Trail system and its environment, which offers untold thousands of citizens many generations of enjoyment,
rather than development that will line the pockets of just a few individuals or corporations while destroying a
sense of nature that is all too rare in metropolitan areas like ours. This one-time decision has long-range
consequences that, if the area is diminished through development, can't be reversed.
Thank you,
Marti Gerdes