Please submit your written statements opposing the rezoning! Your written statement must be received by Planning & Zoning by 5:00 PM, Monday December 5th, 2016. That's less than one week away!! Your written statement must include the following: 1. The Planning Case Number, PZ-006-16. 2. Your name, address, telephone number, and (if Pinal County property owner) your property tax parcel number (PRINTED OR TYPED) 3. A brief statement of your reasons for opposing the rezoning 4. Whether or not you wish to appear and be heard at the meeting It is best to send your written statement as an EMAIL to Enrique Bojorquez, enrique.bojorquez@pinalcountyaz.gov . Enrique told me that they prefer to receive email since it's easier to process than paper. And it "counts" just the same as paper. If you can't send email, then you can send a written statement to PINAL COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PO BOX 2973 (31 N. PINAL, BLDG. F) FLORENCE, AZ 85132 YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A PINAL COUNTY RESIDENT to submit a written statement or attend the hearing. As stated in the notice of public hearing, "ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THIS MATTER MAY APPEAR AND SPEAK AT THE PUBLIC HEARING". Thousands of people from all over the world visit the monastery every year and have an interest in the outcome of this hearing. What should your statement say? Please keep it brief and pertinent to the zoning change. The main issue they will consider is whether the zoning change is beneficial or harmful to the neighbors and the Pinal County community overall. The main impact of the zoning proposal would be VASTLY ACCELERATED GROWTH, which would have all kinds of negative impacts to the Monastery and the other neighbors in the community: noise, traffic, water quality, sewage, disruption of the pristine desert and wildlife. The monastery chose this location more than 20 years ago precisely because of the General Rural zoning and the adjacency to the pristine and uninhabited State Land. The monastery has invested tens of millions of dollars in the churches, gardens, and facilities, with the expectation that this zoning would protect the area from denser development in the future. The purpose of zoning laws is to protect private property rights. The property rights of the monastery would be violated by changing the zoning in this situation. Here are a few of the comments that people have submitted to the petition, which would be very appropriate to send as written statements to the County. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am participating in this petition in support of halting all proposed rezoning applications submitted by Elmore/Brimhall LLC. I have been attending Saint Anthony's services and have hike the trails of the natural surrounding habitat that are to be the proposed new roads for the last 21 years. I am strongly against any action resulting in the disturbance of this beautiful piece of the Sonoran Desert, along with, the tranquility and blessings brought to the Florence residence and us; the Orthodox faithful, by the Saint Anthony's Monastery. There are many potential sites that would serve as a better alternative for any new developments that would require very little efforts to rezone, would have greater access for potential tenants of the new development, more sustainable resources, and virtually no disturbance to the Florence landmark; Saint Anthony's Monastery and it's surrounding residence. Best Regards, Christos E. Anastasopoulos - https://www.change.org/p/preserve-the-sacred-grounds-of-saint-anthony-s-monastery/c/456538883 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are land owners on Bartlet road next to the monastery. We enjoy the peace and tranquility of the monastery and we don't want this major and permanent disturbance to occur! Ioan and Cristina Sirca - https://www.change.org/p/preserve-the-sacred-grounds-of-saint-anthony-s-monastery/c/456371180 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I remember when the monastery started in the area which was basically nothing and developed this beautify oasis predicated on individuals stepping out of their busy lives for peace and quiet and a time to contemplate God and heal their souls. Also the prayer life of the monks is very important to the world. As a frequent visitor of the monastery any developement around the monastery would diminish its ability to serve its pilgrims and its mission. The developer is taking advantage of the hard work of the monks to transform the area Euthym Kontaxis, Phoenix, AZ - https://www.change.org/p/preserve-the-sacred-grounds-of-saint-anthony-s-monastery/c/547881140 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Many additional examples can be seen here: https://www.change.org/p/preserve-the-sacred-grounds-of-saint-anthony-s-monastery/c THANK YOU!