RiverLink Board Seeks To Keep Current Buffer And Not Reduce Protection of Rivers

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by karen cragnolin
on Monday, January 04, 2010

At the regularly scheduled board of directors meeting of the RiverLink Board of Directors the following motion was adopted as the RiverLink position opposing the recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Commission to reduce protection of the river by an estimated 75%. The RiverLink board of directors has collected well over 1,000 signatures on the petition some of which you can find at Citizens of our community do not want to lessen protection of our rivers based on the results so far of this petition.

Please take a moment to vote.

According to Karen Cragnolin, executive director of RiverLink, "the board worked diligently to craft a motion objecting to the vote by the Asheville's Planning and Zoning Commission to reduce protection of our rivers. The fact that that only 5 variances have been requested and all were granted demonstrates that that ordinance is meeting needs. This is an attempt to fix something that does not appear to be broken."

The motion reads as follows:

We, the RiverLink Board of Directors, strongly oppose the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation adopted at their October 22nd meeting. Sediment is the number one pollutant in the French Broad River watershed. The recommendation of the Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission would reduce existing protection in the Asheville area watershed by an estimated 75% from the current ordinance. The current ordinance is not restrictive of development as evidenced by the fact that in two years only five variances have been requested, and all were granted. We believe that adequate buffers, greenways and density mutually contribute to sustainable development and quality of life for the citizens of Asheville. The RiverLink Board of Directors respectfully requests that the Asheville City Council maintain the current buffer ordinance rather than adopting the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation.

This issue will be heard by the Asheville City Council at their regular meeting scheduled for January 12th, 2010. Please plan to attend and take a moment to complete RiverLink's online petition which can be found at:

http://www.petitiononline.com/link710/FYUAVtvzjQFr.cgi

RiverLink is the regional organization spearheading the economic and environmental rebirth of the French Broad River watershed as a destination where everyone can live, work and play. For more information about how you can become involved visit our website at http://www.riverlink.org/.

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About the Author - karen cragnolin

Contact karen cragnolin:
RiverLink
828-252-8474, ext 110
KAREN@RIVERLINK.ORG
www.riverlink.org

Learn more about karen.