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• <br /> * • - 30 <br /> • <br /> development from the existing development through careful use of <br /> greenspace. <br /> 2. Inappropriate use of greenspace. In the proposal by the <br /> Planning Department the greenspace is used to buffer the old and <br /> new neighborhoods, preserve an area of great natural beauty with <br /> steep slopes and springs, and to protect a pristine stream that <br /> flows into Duke Forest and that is frequently used for research. <br /> In the developer's plan the greenspace preserves an area of <br /> oldfield pine fronting on Whitfield Road that is of little <br /> aesthetic or environmental importance. The Planning Department <br /> proposal clearly uses greenspace for the purposes for which it was <br /> intended in the original cluster development code. In contrast, <br /> the developer's planned greenspace serves only to increase the <br /> amount that can be charged for lots with little if any public <br /> benefit of the sort required by article 22. <br /> 3. Adverse impacts on the environment. The Homewood site <br /> contains a particularly pristine small stream, steep slopes, and • <br /> natural hardwood forest that is immediately adjacent to and a <br /> . continuation of forest land proposed for registry by the state <br /> 'Natural Heritage Program. The developer's plan would place homes <br /> on the steep slopes, adjacent to the stream, in the middle of the <br /> most significant forest land. The Planning Department proposal <br /> allows the same number of lots as proposed by the developer, but <br /> saves the section with waterflow, steep slopes, and significant <br /> natural vegetation as greenspace for all residents to enjoy. We <br /> firmly believe that with imaginative design work it would be <br /> possible to follow the Planning Department proposal and maintain <br /> the profit potential of the land. In contrast, the developer's <br /> plan would degrade the environment and reduce our property values. <br /> Thank you for considering our views. We believe that a. • <br /> decision to deny approval of the present Homewood plan in <br /> preference for the carefully conceived plan proposed May 15 by the <br /> Planning Department staff would clearly demonstrate the 'commitment <br /> of the Board to development that benefits equally the land owners, <br /> land developers, and the residents of the county.. <br /> Sincerely yours, <br /> Robert K.K. Peet <br /> 72t t4a4-- <br /> M. Peet <br /> —wee. <br /> illip os anz0 <br /> // •eb*.- RP:at, <br /> Susan Roth <br /> 2 <br /> • <br />