Friday, November 9, 2007

Response from letter to Gov. Easley from Sherri Forrester with the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society

Ms. Forrester:

Thank you for sharing your support for the new Haw River State Park and your concerns about the proposed Patriot's Landing development adjacent to the park. Your letter to Gov. Mike Easley was referred to me for a response.

Gov. Easley is familiar with this matter and has directed Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ross to coordinate the state's efforts. In response to this directive, the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation and the State Property Office are working closely to find a way to negotiate an agreement with Bluegreen Corp. As you may be aware, the State Property Office in the Department of Administration is the state agency charged with negotiating land acquisition terms with property owners. An appraisal of the property has been completed and the State Property Office is in discussions with Bluegreen representatives. You may also know that Guilford County Board of Commissioners' consideration of the re-zoning appeal has been postponed until December.

The state parks system is on record in opposing the re-zoning and has ongoing interest in acquiring the land for addition to Haw River State Park.

The department agrees that the Haw River State Park has the potential to draw thousands of visitors to your area and will greatly enhance the quality of life in the community.

Thank you once again for your support in this important matter.

Sincerely,

Diana L. Kees, Communications Director
N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources

(Please note: A specific offer by the NCDENR has already been made in a generous manner so that all of the property owners will be able to receive their full Bluegreen/developer price for their property. That means that the state is now willing to pay for the land as though the property was rezoned for Bluegreen's Patriot Landing development. Bluegreen also has an opportunity to get out from under this project in a softening housing market.)

1 comment:

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