January 17, 2007
Peter McCrae, Chairman
General Plan Steering Committee
 
Dear Peter:
 
This letter is to give you some of my thoughts on the new plan for Angwin.  
As many others, I am deeply concerned about the future of this county.  
Currently Angwin is one of the most beautiful and pastoral settings in the 
Upper Valley area.  
 
During my time on the Board of Supervisors (20 years through 2002), the 
future of Angwin was visited many times.  One of the last discussions 
relative to the "bubble" was in January 1998.  While we modified the 
bubble to accommodate some public works, it was the general sense of the 
board that the "bubble" was simply used to show the developed area.  The 
Board's intepretation at that time, consistent with prior boards, was that 
the "bubble" was not an indication of growth.  Certainly, the area of 
future growth was limited to in-fill and not expanded into current 
agricultural lands.  
 
My understanding is that Triad has a plan for 591 new units.  A 
development of this size would be a disaster for Angwin and the Up Valley 
area.  We can always grow an area, we cannot un-grow!  
 
The Board of Supervisors in 1968 put the county on a plan to preserve 
agriculture land and open space.  That original concept has been honed and 
polished over the years.  A planned development, such as the one proposed, 
would be a major step in unraveling the work of the past 40 years.  
 
Best wishes in your efforts to meet the challenges of the future.
 
Sincerely,
 
Mel Varrelman

Webmaster