Two Meetings this week

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This week there are two meetings at City Hall. Both will focus on the building of The Parker resort. Here is why your participation matters.. 

The City Council will have the second "reading" of and final vote on the annexation agreement, which includes changes made since the first reading. If the City Council approves the agreement, it will have made a binding legal contract with the developer of The Parker resort. The land will be annexed into Galena so that construction of an 80-acre private resort within the city limits will be possible.

We need to continue our efforts to show the City Council that Galena is NOT on board with allowing this to happen. There will be a limited number of speakers allowed at Monday’s meeting, but you can come prepared to make a brief (3 min or less) statement to the Council. Or you can simply show up -- your physical presence at the meeting will continue to show the City Council that it has badly misgauged the desire of the community it represents. There is still time to reverse course based on the needs and desires of the voters of Galena. 

One City Council member said at the last meeting that she is not an expert on the numerous issues that have been raised, and that the experts can sort things out later. That is completely backward. The time to study these serious issues is NOW, not after the City has tied its own hands by entering into a binding contract with the developer. The community needs evidence, not promises from officials that they will do "nothing to harm Galena." 

Other City Council members said there a lot of people in Galena who support this project. Of course there are supporters. No one has said otherwise. The question is how widespread that support is, particularly for a project of this enormous size and impact. Because this project will affect everyone in or associated with this community, one would think the City Council would want to know it has overwhelming support before entering into agreements it cannot undo. Instead, the City Council seems to believe that they know better than the people of Galena. They seem to value the word of one individual who works for the developer and has a vested interest in the project, and who may or may not continue to be employed by the developer in the future, instead of listening to the voices of their constituents – even those who have previously held office in Galena, served on its councils and boards, have credentials in planning, water and environmental issues, or live next door and know exactly what will be lost if the Parker is built.

One City Council member said he is sorry that this is not a win-win for everyone. But we have yet to hear why the City Council has chosen the people of Galena to be the losers in this huge and permanent decision.

The Parker developer originally submitted a plan with four phases. The developer has now submitted a small piece of the first phase – the vineyard - for separate approval by the Zoning Board.

There are huge concerns about creating a vineyard on this property, none of which have been addressed. These include the use of herbicides as stated in the submitted plan, and use of other pesticides, which is not mentioned. The intensive use of herbicides and pesticides are likely to contaminate water below ground and seep into the Galena River. The area where the vineyard is proposed is identified as inappropriate for uses that involve contaminants, due to thin soils and extremely porous bedrock. Original plans show intent to clear woodland for more vineyard planting, but this current piece submitted for approval fails to mention that part of the Phase 1 plan. Runoff and erosion from clearing and plowing are a concern, yet there is only a vague statement about “minimizing” hillside erosion and water loss. There is no storm water or erosion assessment plan, or mitigation measures if problems occur.

We’ve been told repeatedly that the developer will present detailed plans, complete with required studies, permits, and so on, before each phase receives final approval. Yet what the developer has submitted for final approval of the vineyard fails -- in every possible way -- to do that. Where are the details about long-term use of herbicides and pesticides? Where is evidence that appropriate agencies have been consulted? Where in the site plans are erosion and runoff analysis and mitigation measures identified? Why is the acre or more of woodland clearing omitted? Where is the evidence that this site is appropriate for a vineyard when all the available information indicates that it is not?

If the developer is promising details before each final phase is approved, but skirting that promise by submitting partial final phases without the promised information, what does that indicate for the rest of this huge development plan? Will all four phases be chopped up as well, and brought before the Zoning Board in small parts without the promised information? Will they keep telling us the expert information will come in the next piece… until it’s too late and all the damage is done?

Citizens need to let the Zoning Board know that it is not in favor of approving even a vineyard when so many questions remain. The developer may be concerned about planting vines as soon as possible, but that is not Galena’s concern to address, nor the Zoning Board’s issue to worry about. The City’s job is to ensure that all parts of the process are done properly, including that promised plans and information are available BEFORE they make final, irrevocable decisions about any part of this project.

This process is a long and difficult one, made more so because officials have shown a reckless disregard for issues and for concerns of residents. The developer is not likely to tire in his pursuit of what he wants. The residents of Galena cannot tire either. We must stand up for what we believe is right. Whether you speak or not, your presence at these meetings matters! Please attend, and thank you for doing so.