This is a bad idea for all the reasons already outlined in these posts:
1) It’s redundant to the Nat’l Park, and therefore represents unnecessary development
2) It is not ecologically sensitive, regardless of the “marketing hype”, in that it will dramatically increase traffic, trash, noise and yes, light. Even if it closes at dusk, they will need to install lights for safety reasons.
3) It pollutes the view of the hills. While there seems to be some dispute over whether the towers will exceed the height of the trees, (and I find it hard to imagine them not, especially given the pictures of Mr. Evan’s other Air Walks), either way, both the towers AND the walk will be visible during 5 to 6 months in fall/winter when the canape is bare of leaves.
3) It opens the door legally to additional commercial development on the basis of precedent
4) MOST OF ALL, it is not zoned for this use. The people who have bought and tended their land in this area did so with the legal definition that this area was to be used for residential purposes. If the Martins choose to develop their land into a residential community, that’s their right. It is not their right to change the nature of this use. IT’S OUR RIGHT to stand up to this proposal and reject the rezoning.
I do find it sad that the Martin’s have chosen this route after having been part of the community for so long. Wanting to get top dollar for one’s property is understandable — but what’s the real cost? This is not a legacy to leave for the Martin name. Our family made the decision to put 85 acres of our property in Kasson Township into a conservancy agreement years ago. Yes, it devalued the “commercial” property of the land — and reduced the financial benefit to our family’s future generations, — but it’s given us such a precious gift to know that the land, the animals and yes, the TREES, are protected from development. That’s a true legacy, and I’m so grateful that my father in law, Robert Nitschke, had the foresight, the selflessness and the true spirit of an ecological steward, to make that decision. I urge the Martins to do the same.