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In response to last week’s reader poll about the denied Charles Farm development, Tri-Cities Central subscribers voiced strong support for the decision. About 83% of readers said they were thrilled:
There’s clearly a general feeling of relief and satisfaction — and a preference among residents to preserve the rural and historic character of the area.
Many in favor of the denial felt that the Charles Farm project posed a significant threat to the community’s identity, citing concerns about overdevelopment, loss of green space, overburdened school districts and the erosion of historical context.
A victory for most
The following quotes offer a representative sample of the sentiment from the “thrilled” group:
"I'm glad that it was denied, but these companies will keep trying. We need stronger measures to protect rural areas from overdevelopment."
"The county should develop a master plan to preserve green space and avoid projects like this that can change the essence of our region."
"This area has a rich history and natural beauty that would have been completely lost with a development of this size."
“My real concern about that project is about what it would do to traffic in the area. The infrastructure just isn’t there for that many vehicles. Route 38 is already very unsafe; adding more distracted and impatient drivers to a one-lane highway is a recipe for disaster.”
The feedback included a recurring call for long-term planning efforts that protect both the environment and the cultural heritage of the Fox Valley area.
Mixed views
At the same time, a smaller (but notable) portion of respondents in the “it’s complicated” group acknowledged the potential benefits of development, particularly in terms of housing and economic growth.
Some suggested that while the proposal may have been flawed in scale and scope, future projects could perhaps strike a better balance between growth and preservation. While many locals are eager to protect what makes this area unique, these comments indicate that they may also recognize the need for more thoughtful development in the future.
The few respondents who expressed disappointed seemed to view it as a missed opportunity. These folks lamented a chance for growth — particularly in creating new, lower-cost housing options for families and seniors.
To sum up that group’s sentiment, one reader pointed out: “I’m sure many long-time Tri-Cities residents would like to downsize to a ranch home and be relieved of shoveling and cutting grass while keeping a local address.”
📖 Thanks for reading
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