Comments on: Sunday’s column: He wants to dissolve the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee

By: Sandi Saunders

Sandi Saunders — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 01:57:46 +0000

I am not defending people who would indeed “pave paradise and put up a parking lot”, but in all fairness, sometimes the people who bulldoze, build, develop and sell land, see more value and promise than those who do not see the scale they have seen. Many do care very much “where they fire up the diesels”. I have seen crews go far out of their way to avoid old growth trees and save and relocate others at cost to them and argue with plan designs for a better, more earth friendly construct also at a cost to them. Many care what they build as much as what they make. People who re-purpose the earth can also appreciate open space for just that. Some development is about improvement not just “greed, destruction and vanity”. Granted, not enough, but some.

Slate Hill is a much maligned re-purpose of a previously unusable plot of land in an area with other development. Better there than other places IMO.

Mill Mountain has a business on top of it now. It has seen some development. It could support more without losing its character, charm or allure. It should be done right and it should be minimal, but it is hardly pristine wilderness, nor was it before. The incline, the inn, the theater…no it is not hallowed ground as far as those greedy, destructive, vain developers or a lot of other people, including some of us tree huggers are concerned.

By: Dan Casey

Dan Casey — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:38:16 +0000

Kristen, Roanoke’s not being held back by the lack of a Cheesecake Factory on top of Mill Mountain.

By: chick chandler

chick chandler — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:50:01 +0000

Kristen. This is all after the fact since Ferris has relented but… Have you ever really BEEN to the top of Mill Mountain Park? ” You said “Most of the top of that mountain is already cut down and paved”. That is not remotely true. You need to drive up there right now, take a few deep breaths and drop the hysteria like “…factions committed to keeping Roanoke a backwater”. So is not allowing the bulldozing of Mill Mountain Park contributing to your alleged “backwater” status? How so? Who are these “factions”? Do they travel in black helicopters? What Dan was saying was that no one stepped forward to offer even an interest in actually spending money on developing the property. That means submitting a plan, having it approved, building the building and then leasing the space for a restaurant. And the MMAC is not “self-appointed”. City Council appoints them.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 01:06:42 +0000

And why would any restaurateur bother coming up with a plan for a club before any building was approved? If you’re paying any attention at all, you’ll notice that new restaurants are popping up all over the place. I have no doubt whatsoever an investor would have shown up once a plan was approved. There are factions committed to keeping Roanoke a backwater, and in that case they succeeded. In no small part thanks to the self-appointed busy bodies of the “Mill Mountain Advisory Committee”. Because every mountain needs its own “advisory committee”.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 01:02:35 +0000

Chick, most of the top of that mountain is already cut down and paved. It wouldn’t be hard to find a spot to put anything. There’s nothing “natural” about it.

By: chick chandler

chick chandler — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:16:44 +0000

Thanks Dan. Very interesting that these guys could not even interest their peers in the development business to pony up for a new frat house.

By: chick chandler

chick chandler — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:23:08 +0000

Kristen. so which of the “litter” you describe as being on the top of Mill Mountain Park would you propose to bulldoze to build the restaurant and parking lot or would you be just happy to scrape away what remains of the open, free access,wooded mountain top and complete your Williamson Road-ization of the summit?

By: Dan Casey

Dan Casey — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:42:55 +0000

AC,

The last time this idea was brought up, not one private venture made a proposal to invest money in the “upscale restaurant and jazz club” concept.

By: Another Chuck

Another Chuck — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:10:51 +0000

I think a nice eatery on top of Mill Mountain overlooking the City is a great idea. As opposed to our “Beam my up, Scotty” art museum downtown, a private venture on top of the mountain could actually provide tax dollars to the community and a very cool venue for our enjoyment.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:50:05 +0000

“Why would anyone spend millions to live up on a hill, looking down on an Interstate with the hum drum of traffic, trucks braking and sirens 24/7?”

I don’t think it’s going to be millions to live up there, but this is a good question.