Dear Fayetteville City Council, Planning Commission, Environmental Action Committee, and Urban Forestry Advisory Board,

One of the City Council members told me that they had received many letters from the public in the last several days before the Oct 2 meeting where you decided to approve the rezonings of Markham Hill. Even 15 an hour on Oct 2. Another Council member said he doesn't read letters from the public if longer than a short paragraph. My guess is that since you already had made up your mind to approve the rezonings, you didn't bother reading most of the letters you received those last several days if not longer.

Even though you passed the rezonings, would you please give us the courtesy of reading each and every letter sent to you and in full?

There will be future meetings where decisions will be made about Markham Hill. We would really appreciate it if you would seriously consider our input. I don't want it to be true that the City of Fayetteville doesn't listen to its long-time residents any longer.

Many of us (over 2800 on our petition so far and more who have not signed it) want to limit development on Markham Hill and preserve most of the acreage. Please see my attached comparison table. The commercial, high-density residential development you approved doesn't fit in the surrounding low-density residential neighborhood. I believe you know this in the depths of your heart. But something has overtaken common sense. Please read our letters proving our point. For example, 4000-6000 vehicles passing your mailbox every day when you live in a low-density neighborhood is not normal. Twenty to thirty is normal. One of your Council members said that 4000-6000 is not too many!

Should we resubmit all our letters in January when new Council members are beginning their terms? Maybe we should address our letters to all four bodies (City Council, Planning Commission, Environmental Action Committee, and Urban Forestry Advisory Board) since all will be studying the issues, making recommendations, and making decisions during the possible development of Markham Hill.

I say possible development for a reason. It may turn out that the storm water from 84 acres of hilltop/hillside impervious surfaces (not 44 preserved and 16 semi-preserved which altogether equals 144 acres), along with the springs and wet weather flows so prevalent in this area, will not allow development. Or the City of Fayetteville will be showing disrespect toward an historically violated people group if the registered and unsurveyed Native American sites are destroyed simply because the developer refuses to have it surveyed or certain artifacts are not found. Or the presence of endangered or special species of plants and/or wildlife prevents a caring human society (us) from destroying their natural habitat. Most people would agree that a lot of things are more important than infill, urbanization, development, and money.

From walking neighborhoods in Ward 4 when passing out flyers, several of us noticed quite a few empty homes and homes for rent. These weren't for the wealthy. In other wards there are newly built townhouses standing empty. I'm wondering whether there is really a need for more housing as developers are trying to make the City believe.

Thank you for reading this entire letter and for seriously considering my concerns.

Sincerely,
Lisa Orton