Development at Perryville

[Eric Tipton]

Re: Development at Perryville

That's great news Chad. Wow, this has really been refreshing to see everyone rally round a cause like this. It is well-worth it. Sounds like there is more to come. Saw an article posted somewhere that Perryville received over 150 calls. Nice. :D

[BGYANK]

Re: Development at Perryville

Chad,

Excellent news! Please keep us posted on the next phase. To be curious, what would the owner want for his property as it sits now?

Ernie W Steff

[Dignann]

Re: Development at Perryville

Perryville Battlefield protected from development, for now

By JESSE OSBOURNE

The Advocate-Messenger [Danville, Ky.]
April 4, 2008

PERRYVILLE - Though preservationists are relieved to see a rezoning proposal near the Perryville Battlefield shot down by city council Thursday, some believe the fight over what happens to the last piece of undeveloped land in the city limits is far from over.

Perryville City Council members voted 4-1 Thursday night to reject the recommendation of the Danville-Boyle County Planning and Zoning Committee to allow Pete Coyle to rezone 34 acres of his farm. Had the recommendation passed, the land could have been used for more than 50 single-family houses and highway commercial businesses.

Sherry Robinson, a Kentucky Division officer for the United Daughters of the Confederacy, said she and other preservationists were opposed to the rezone because of how sacred the land is. There are not many battlefields preserved such as the Perryville Battlefield, she said.

Robinson said she wasn’t getting the assurances and guarantees needed in writing from the rezoning proposal to feel comfortable with it passing.

She also said that if the proposal had passed and development around the battlefield started, other smaller battlefields wouldn’t stand a chance against developers.

By voting down the proposal, she thinks battlefield preservationists have sent the message that if a developer wants to encroach on that type of land they’re going to have to come with heavy artillery.

Robinson said she thinks Coyle may try to have the land rezoned in the future but she hopes by then Perryville will be prepared with ordinances that protect the battlefield.

The tiny room where council meetings are held was packed with re-enactors, visitors from other towns and press Thursday night to hear the council's decision.

Council member Georgeanne Edwards opened the discussions about the proposal. She said she had read all the information presented and the city’s comprehensive plan. She concluded that the zoning should remain the same because there was no evidence to suggest a zone change was necessary.

Council member Julie Clay agreed and said that the development would have a negative effect on the roads surrounding the battlefield and the city’s infrastructure.

A burden on Hays Mays Road

She also mentioned that if the zoning proposal were passed, the majority of the houses would be forced to use Hays Mays Road, which is a one lane road. Passing the proposal would force the city to address the condition of that road and Jackson Street in the future.

Council member Sheila Cox read her thoughts about the proposal aloud from a letter she wrote before the meeting.

“I would hope to think that the soldiers that lost their lives for rights and freedom did not intend for us not to grow and make progress,” she said. “The battlefield land is sacred ground, but also the entire city land is sacred grounds... How can we deny their hopes and dreams for this generation to come by not continuing the progress they started?” she said.

After discussion, the council members voted on rejecting the zoning proposal. Edwards, Bill Chance, Clay and Dawn Hastings voted yes. Cox voted no. Council member Phillip Crowe was absent.

Upon hearing the decision, Robinson hugged the nearest person and wiped her eyes. The room quickly cleared out, including Coyle.

Coyle declined to comment but indicated he was upset. Coyle could not be reached for comment by phone prior to the meeting.

Christopher Kolakowski, executive director for the Perryville Enhancement Project, said after the meeting that he felt the council looked closely at the evidence presented to them.

“The city did what they did. It’s evident just by the comments that we had in there that they did exactly that. As somebody who’s concerned about the community and concerned about where this community’s going, with a controversial issue like this, it’s all you can ask,” Kolakowski said.

In an interview prior to the meeting, Kolakowski expressed that the city should consider all aspects of the rezoning issue and not make a decision lightly.

After the meeting, Cox elaborated on her thoughts about passing the rezoning proposal.

“I felt like we needed this so very bad in order for us to grow because Perryville needs, you know we’ve got to have more revenue to come in in order to survive. I felt like Mr. Coyle had done an excellent job, and planning and zoning, everyone had worked so hard on this package to the point where they really did take in the battlefield consideration,” Cox said.

“It’s just because I love Perryville,” she said. “I would love to see it be able to grow.”

http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=39822&format=html

Eric

[Micah Trent]

Re: Development at Perryville

Awesome news!! Still a battle to be fought though, but everyone here has done one heck of a job.

[GWagner]

Re: Development at Perryville

Was there any discussion or indication about how many contacted the city to protest? Was this a factor in the decision at all?

[Dignann]

Re: Development at Perryville

According to this newspaper report, it sounds like the call-in campaign did have an effect.


City rejects development plan near Civil War battle site

The Associated Press
April 4, 2008

PERRYVILLE, Ky. --Civil War re-enactors helped thwart a development that would have put dozens of new homes near Kentucky's largest historic battlefield.

The Perryville City Council voted down the new subdivision proposal 4-1 Thursday night.

The plan was criticized by Civil War re-enactors and preservationists who feared a rezoning would open for development more central Kentucky farmland around the 1862 battlefield.

They say Perryville remains relatively unspoiled and appears as it would have during the war.

"I'm relieved," said Sherry Robinson, a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, who had spoken against the proposal. "Right now, we're ecstatic."

The developer, Marion "Pete" Coyle Jr., had wanted to develop a portion of his farm on U.S. 150 just west of downtown Perryville. His plans included 53 homes, an assisted-living center and two businesses on 34 acres.

"I'm upset right now," Coyle said as he left City Hall.

Officials say City Hall had received 169 telephone calls, many from re-enactors who opposed the development.

"We have to continue to protect this land, because if we don't there's a strong possibility it may rear its head again," said Union re-enactor Chad Greene of Perryville.

The Civil War Preservation Trust, a nonprofit group in Washington D.C., recently placed Perryville on its Top 10 list of endangered battlefields last month.

Council member Georgeanne Edwards said Coyle had failed to demonstrate a need for the rezoning.

"Also, the development is not compatible with the efforts to preserve the Perryville battlefield, and the historically significant land surrounding the battlefield," Edwards said.

Council member Sheila Cox, who voted in favor of the development, said the battlefield's supporters "have got to give and take (with the city) in order to survive."

"I would hope to think that the soldiers that lost their lives for rights and freedom did not intend for us not to grow and make progress," Cox said.

http://www.kentucky.com/471/story/366672.html

Eric

[paulcalloway]

Re: Development at Perryville

Another article on the subject referenced an "Internet Call to Arms" - which was clearly a reference to our AC push to call the City Council.

Our threads were prefixed by "A Call to Arms."

[westphalia]

Re: Development at Perryville

I'm sorry the farmer feels like he was cheated, but I'm elated that our calls and letters had such a positive effect. I'd love to have read some of the letters that were sent. I think I typed and revised mine three or four times before sending it. I don't do well with phone calls, but tried my best.

We'll all have to stay vigilant, but what a relief this measure didn't go through.

[HangarFlying]

Re: Development at Perryville

You know, the thing is, I can understand the other side of the coin. I don't agree with it though. I think they can make Perryville grow and prosper through other, more responsible and less destructive, means.

[64OVI]

Re: Development at Perryville

The folks at Perryville need to understand that the battlefield in its condition is their best resource. Once they get on that page, making long range plans to develop and protect that resource is a win/win situation. The battlefield can be protected and the area can prosper and grow together. It takes vision and a willingness to work together.
You dont want to end up like Franklin where folks now realize the asset they have but so much damage has been done that alot of effort and money have to be expended for repairs.
Its great that our voices as living historians can make a difference but the folks at Perryville have to come together with a long term plan they can live with. I hope they do.

Kent Dorr - Ohio
"Devils Own Mess"

[lukegilly13]

Re: Development at Perryville

The folks at Perryville need to understand that the battlefield in its condition is their best resource. Once they get on that page, making long range plans to develop and protect that resource is a win/win situation. The battlefield can be protected and the area can prosper and grow together. It takes vision and a willingness to work together...


Kent Dorr - Ohio
"Devils Own Mess"

Hooozaahh! I 2nd that! Well said. It's GREAT that the battlefield got preserved. I hope they can work out an everyone wins situation so this doesn't come up again!

[Joni House]

Re: Development at Perryville

Hello All,
Now that all the smoke has cleared I just wanted to say Thank You!!!!
It is nice to know that you all support preservation at Perryville.
I would also like to invite you all to come down and participate at our programs and also feel free to contact me to do living history at the park anytime. We have a large inventory of cook pots, boxes and barrels, flys etc to use when you come down.
Thanks,
Joni House

[Chad Greene]

Re: Development at Perryville

Pards,
Sad News! The City Council members at Perryville were voted off the council last evening. The new council members care nothing about preservation. We will need to keep a watchful eye on the development threats around the battlefield.

We should all be very appreciative of the great fight these Council Members put up to protect their most precious assett. It is ashame to see them go. We appreciate there help and we must all remember that preservation has a price and they paid it.

Just to say THANK YOU to Julie Clay, Dawn Hasting and Philip Crowe - you all did a great job for us. Don't give up the fight. Stay true to your cause and we will be behind you.

Your Pard,
Chad Greene

[Mudslinger]

Re: Development at Perryville

Thanks for the e-mail link Brian! Our company members are calling in force!


Capt. Nick Miller
33rd O.V.I., Co. F
"The Acorn Boys"