To: Torrey Rush, Chair, Richland County Council, Greg Pearce, Vice Chair, Richland County Council, and Bill Malinowski, Richland County Councilman
Say NO to a county park off Salem Church/Ballentine Cove
Stop the planned park on Bonuck Road and preserve the current residential zoning. Richland County should sell the land and pursue an alternate site more suitable for a public recreation area.
Why is this important?
The Salem Church neighborhood is a quiet residential area comprised of large single family home sites and is zoned low-density residential. The "Project LM" park is planned for an existing homesite lot on a side street called Bonuck Rd. The street is very narrow, windy, and dead ends at neighboring driveways. Richland County Council, spearheaded by Councilman Malinowski, conducted a feasibility study using paid consultants and purchased and planned a waterfront park without any neighbor or community knowledge/input. The county plans to change the current residential zoning to allow for the park, which includes a boat launch, site parking, a fishing pier, kayak & paddle boat rentals, and playground/event area. This park is literally planned to be adjacent to and in the backyards of current residents.
There is great concern that the effects of the park will be decreased property values, loitering, water and traffic congestion, and unsupervised activities resulting in safety and security concerns. Additionally, the millions of dollars spent to manage traffic at the intersections of Farming Creek and Salem Church Roads with Highway 6 will have to be reassessed for managing the additional increased volume of traffic.
The goal of this petition is to stop the planned park, preserve the current residential zoning, sell the property for residential use only and assist the county in locating a better-suited piece of property for a more suitable community planned county recreation area.
There is great concern that the effects of the park will be decreased property values, loitering, water and traffic congestion, and unsupervised activities resulting in safety and security concerns. Additionally, the millions of dollars spent to manage traffic at the intersections of Farming Creek and Salem Church Roads with Highway 6 will have to be reassessed for managing the additional increased volume of traffic.
The goal of this petition is to stop the planned park, preserve the current residential zoning, sell the property for residential use only and assist the county in locating a better-suited piece of property for a more suitable community planned county recreation area.