Yes! The impact of this proposed development on Rock Bridge Memorial State Park will impact all visitors to the park. We encourage anyone who lives in Missouri or who is a frequent visitor to the state park to express their opposition to this development and urge the City Council to provide permanent protections for this sensitive area.
As one of our supporters said to the Planning & Zoning Commission, the property owner has a right to a return on their investment but not the right to win the lottery. The sale and development of this 65+ acre lot for 113 luxury homes would be the equivalent of winning the lottery.
The property owner purchased this property in the county with Agricultural Zoning. We believe they are within their rights to develop this property according to the current zoning restrictions. We do not believe they are entitled to rezone this property for higher-density development. Rezoning requests are never a guarantee, that’s why we have a Planning & Zoning Commission.
No, we do not oppose any and all development. We support smart, sustainable development. We believe the City of Columbia should discourage suburban sprawl, which would accurately describe this particular development. We prefer that higher-density development be located closer to the city center.
Most importantly, we believe it is essential to provide permanent and enforceable protections for the properties adjacent to the state park boundary, and especially for Gans Creek Wild Area.
Once a development of this density is allowed to proceed at the very edge of the wild area and the state park, it will set a strong precedent and there will be no way to prevent future development from causing increasing harm to the sensitive areas within the park.
The current housing shortage is a temporary problem caused by the pandemic. It would be extremely short-sighted to use this temporary predicament to justify the permanent harm that will be done to Gans Creek Wild Area should this development proceed as proposed. We are confident that the local housing market will recover and resume its normal level of activity in due time.
That’s a very generous offer, thank you! We are not accepting donations at this time. We do have yard signs that say “SaveGansCreek.com” that we are selling at cost for $8 each. We encourage supporters to display a sign in their front yard to help us raise awareness of this local issue.
The best way to support this cause is to contact the Columbia City Council and let them know that you want to provide permanent protections for the property which shares a boundary with Gans Creek Wild Area.
We appreciate your support! We would not have come this far if it weren’t for an outpouring of public support!
This is a 100% grassroots effort organized by folks who love Gans Creek Wild Area. We are not affiliated with any non-profit or other organization. We are working class folks who appreciate the value of wild spaces and outdoor experiences.