Stop PIA2
EDITOR: On January 24, I attended the open house for the city’s presentation of the new Park Improvement Area #2 (PIA2) to be developed in the Fitch Mountain Park and Open Space Preserve Management Plan. The Fitch Mountain Association adamantly opposes the designation and creation of PIA2 for very sound reasons.
Proposal to allow large groups of 150 attendees: groups of 150 attendees would be allowed 12 times per year at the top of Fitch Mountain, potentially 1,800 people per year. I guess we can assume no one in the group will need to go to the bathroom as there are no bathrooms at the top of the mountain. How many smokers will be in the group? What happens in the case of emergency?
Camping at the top of the mountain: open flames, campfires, or camp stoves. The city’s management plan proposes to prohibit open flames of any kind. Very comforting.
Food service, alcohol, vehicles, bathrooms, trash: according to the open house presentation everything would be on a case-by-case basis with exceptions granted by our city council. Very comforting.
If PIA2 is approved we certainly will see PIA3 in our future. What will PIA3 include?A road to the top of the mountain? A restaurant? A wine tasting room? Affordable housing? Stop Park Improvement Area 2 – no PIA2.
Richard Burke, Healdsburg
Leave it alone
EDITOR: As a resident of Healdsburg, I respectfully disagree with any plans to take the pristine trail to Fitch Mountain and make it into any kind of event space. If indeed the Villa Chanticleer or the City of Healdsburg needs to recoup expenses for managing the park, another way needs to be found, perhaps the once-a-year fundraising event to take place below the trail in the park itself.
I am against any camping, events, ceremonies of any size. Continue to clean it up, take care of trees and seek to keep it fire safe. But, leave it in its beautiful, natural state. I am not one of those people opposed to any change, nor do I misunderstand or have misconceptions as Mr. Themig would like to categorize me or anyone else who is in disagreement with him. I just think that we should allow ourselves to have some area in Healdsburg that is not dedicated to bringing business and tourism. It is a beautiful spot. Leave it alone, leave it for hiking, biking, walking.
Maureen McCaffrey Gradek, Healdsburg
Join us on March 6
EDITOR: As someone who has been on Fitch Mountain for over 70 years, I have deep feelings for it. I am very much against the intended use by the city for the intended preserve at the top of the mountain. In Mark Themig’s commentary in the Healdsburg Tribune on Feb. 2, he states that “The management plan does not propose to turn the park and open space preserve into an event center.” However, in my opinion allowing 12 gatherings a year of 150, which would equal 1,800 people in a year are events. We are fortunate to have many wild animals still making the mountain their home, as well as endangered butterflies and plants. I feel that this would make it difficult for them to continue to survive. Please join us on March 6 to let the city know that we are against this proposal. At this time the meeting is proposed to take place at City Hall. Only we, the public, can sway the city.
Marisa Mitchell, Healdsburg
Leave it as open space
EDITOR: I have recently learned of the Fitch Mountain Park and Open Space Preserve Management Plan. There are a number of concerns that must be addressed before this plan will be acceptable, not only to the residents of Fitch Mountain, but to all of us who live in Healdsburg. We care deeply about the safety of the area and the quality of life here in our town. The management plan describes a very natural, very beautiful area at the summit of Fitch Mountain. This is a place where we have often hiked with our children and now with their families. The walking trails are wild and lovely, the views expansive and the peace and quiet irreplaceable.
The management plan is more than 120 pages long. From what I can see, there are no workable answers for true fire prevention and parking. Please leave the summit of Fitch Mountain as open space for all of us, not just the visitors to our town who wish to schedule a celebration.
Christine Cablk
