Dear City Council,

I've been thinking that our fight to save Markham Hill and protect the University Heights neighborhood is a miniature of the Buffalo River fight fought by the Ozark Society years ago. How ironic that Evangeline Archer worked on saving the Buffalo River and we are now trying to save her property.

Developers and others wanted dams on the Buffalo River so they could build nice lake front homes. The Buffalo River was already zoned for development and Congress had already approved two dams. The situation looked grim. But the Ozark Society fought Congress to stop the dams and they saved the Buffalo River. It took ten years. We are so glad they did. We'd much rather have the beautiful Buffalo River than a bunch of houses.

We are trying to save Markham Hill from as much development as possible in order to maintain its unpolluted beauty and history. We are also trying to protect our University Heights neighborhood from inappropriate development in order to maintain its rural and historic neighborhood charm, culture, and safety.

It took ten years to save the Buffalo River and it may take ten years to save Markham Hill and our University Heights neighborhood. We are willing to pursue this until we succeed.

Aren't we happy that the Buffalo River was saved for Arkansas? In 20 years Fayetteville and our kids and grandkids will be just as happy that we saved Markham Hill and our University Heights neighborhood as well.

Please vote against the rezonings of Markham Hill. The owner/developer can right now do RSF-4 development on the west side of the mountain according to hillside/hilltop and tree preservation codes. We recognize this. Please do not allow any more destruction than this by changing zoning to RIU and by breaking the promise with the existing and protective PZD.

Fayetteville will survive having too many houses and not enough houses in the years to come. Throughout history cities have survived this. We simply live outside of town or in the next city over if needed. I've done this in Maryland for 30 years. It's no big deal. Lack of local housing is not what destroys societies.

If we don't take care of our urban forests and native habitats but give in to man's desire for more money (by building dams, hog farms, and houses), we end up with a polluted environment, lack of clean water and air, diseases, illnesses, and death. A polluted environment destroys societies.

Please don't let your worry over possible lack of housing in Fayetteville blind you to the many other factors, environmental and human, that contribute to our quality of life here.

Sincerely,
Lisa Orton