Yesterday morning we lost the appeal of the Markham Hill rezoning in Fayetteville. But we are not giving up!

We have several angles we are pursuing to continue fighting the development and saving these special woods, natural habitat, and historical places. Email me at lisa_m_orton@yahoo.com if you would like to be involved. Thank you so much for your support so far.

Here's a list of our strategies:

1. Continue spreading the word. Many people in Fayetteville still don't know about the upcoming destruction of Markham Hill. Many are shocked and dismayed when they hear about it. Word of mouth, sharing, Weekly Markham Hill Moments of History, etc.

2. Next Fayetteville City Council election, vote in people who put the environment, urban forests, and listening to neighbors above development. Also, consider volunteering or running for other appointments and positions in the City government. We need to end the reign of and favor towards developers and those who make money from development at the expense of our trees, wildlife, clean air, clean water, historical places, etc.

3. Stay alert and aware of every permit the developer Specialized Real Estate Group requests from the City. Speak up to stop the development.

4. Let the City officials know that Fayetteville residents need all important surveys and studies done on Markham Hill and made public (traffic, storm management, flooding, wildlife, significant trees and species, Native American sites, water pressure, fire rescue access and exits, historical site preservation, infrastructure, etc.) before any development begins. One or more of these studies may prevent the development.

5. Encourage the City of Fayetteville to buy Markham Hill as a nature preserve park using some of the Parks Improvement money from the bond package. Encourage the owner (whatever name they are using now to try to hide themselves) and local developer Specialized Real Estate Group to sell the Markham Hill property at a reasonable price to demonstrate their goodwill toward the people of Fayetteville and their love for Markham Hill.