Fight for open space could begin anew

Here we go again. We can hope, however, that this time the bulk of

the work and negotiations have been completed.

The parcel formerly slated for the Driftwood Estates is back on

the market. If its owner, the Esslinger Trust, succeeds in finding a

new buyer it could bring another round of protest-filled planning and

council meetings.

This could be good or bad for environmentalists and residents

around the site. It could bring further concessions by a developer,

or it could mean less for those with the desire to preserve as much

open space as possible.

It seems logical that any new buyer would come in with the idea of

accepting already agreed-to requirements. It would make the process

of approval much easier. But who knows.

The parcel is zoned to allow single-family homes. The city would

have a hard time denying approval to developers who are reasonable

about the number of homes they want to build, whether 218 acres are

donated as open space, as it was under the previously approved

development plan.

Ken Cummins, who represents the trust, said he appreciated working

with Steve Vliss, the developer of Driftwood Estates.

“He has gone the extra mile to create a project that appeals to

the city and is still financially feasible,” he said.

It was a process that took nearly four years. The project was to

be 10 acres of a 228.5-acre parcel. The remainder was promised as

open space.

So, it may be up to the city again -- if a new plan comes before

them or the previous approval, good for two years, expires -- to

fight to keep as much open space as possible, while respecting the

rights of the property owner. Let’s hope they have the resolve to be

fair, but keep fighting for that elusive open space.