discussion-l Mailing List: BikeAthens Discussion: Bike Athens' statement on Selig

[Melissa Link (melissajlink2000]

While the overall spirit of compromise in this situation is admirable, Commissioner Girtz's compromise is a consolation prize at best. Proper enforcement of the TCC map is a tremendous bargaining chip that could be leveraged to bring much more significant changes to this project. Selig can be forced to adhere to the map and accommodate the rail-trail, sending their project back for a massive footprint redesign, or ACC can agree to change the TCC to accommodate their plan if and only if they make some other community-minded concessions as well: add some pedestrian permeability along Oconee, save Jittery Joes, knock a level or two off those parking decks to bring down the scale & avoid complete obliteration of Athens' skyline, reuse materials from historic buildings in designing their "restaurant" to offer a nod to the industrial history of the site. There are many, many relatively minor accommodations that can be made in this site plan. Proper enforcement of the TCC is the tool ACC has to make this a project that this community can possibly like. I totally understand Bike Athens official position is to be as politic as possible, but I hope individuals will stand up tomorrow night and urge the commission to enforce adopted ACC code and compel Selig to make this a better project for the entire community.

The last thing anyone wants is for this matter to become a legal one. I'm sure Selig would rather see this drag out for a couple more months for a few more tweaks in Planning rather than a couple more years in court. And I'm certain that the last thing anyone involved in this process wants to see is a bunch of subpoenas passed around City Hall and assorted ACC departments. This community can avoid that mud bath if we simply insist that the letter of the law be followed.