Reader Responses

All over the country, people, businesses, cities are talking about going "green." Tyler's own Plan 21 says that in 2030 Tyler will be nationally known for the "beauty of its public places" and the Plan is concerned about "parks and open spaces."

Yet when the city council voted to rezone 27 acres in the Bellwood Lake area for high-density use, it seemed to be thinking only "greenbacks."

They were, of course, fulfilling their part of the agreement, approved March 26, with out-of-state developers. This maintenance agreement assured the developers the site would be zoned for high-density use.

The city approved building on these 27 acre-six 14-story condos, a nine-story independent living facility, a five-story assisted living facility, a three-story retail restaurant, a conference center, a 225-room hotel, and 1,452 parking spaces.

Even those of us who are not "green space biologists" know this type of development will significantly impact the lake and the "natural area" the city proposes to develop on the 357 acres it owns adjacent to the rezoned land.

The city has employed a local firm -Planning Concepts - to formulate a master plan for the 357 acres of city land, and interested constituencies are offering suggestions to the planners. The city is to be congratulated for envisioning a master plan and soliciting input from citizen groups.

To say the least, the council's decision to rezone the land is premature in light of the planning process they have set in motion and the need these days to think "green."

One of the ways we can "think green" is nature tourism. These travelers spent $228,779,736 on travel-related expenses.

The Tyler Audubon Society, which opposed the rezoning, sees the highest and best use of the property in the Bellwood Lake area as a nature tourism site and learning center. We visualize a nature center, one that can be an economic benefit to the city, while contributing to the health and welfare of the community. This area is the only natural, city-owned property of this type.

Jane Purtle
Tyler