Candidates tackle LU's quest for Candlers Mountain

Question:
Liberty University is seeking approval of a new master plan that would allow the school to develop hundreds of acres of Candlers Mountain over a period of several years. Construction would support continuing growth in LU’s student enrollment and include new dormitories and recreational amenities.

During a planning commission meeting earlier this month, concerns about the expansion plans included the appropriateness of the layout, impact on the environment, and general effect on the community. The school in turn raised its own concerns about a recommendation from city planners that would require it to offset any waterway damage inflicted during construction by making parallel improvements somewhere within the same watershed. This recommendation, which planners sought to have written into the school’s development permit, goes beyond the requirements of state and federal law.

Explain whether you do or do not support LU’s plan to expand onto Candlers Mountain. Specify whether you do or do not feel the school should be required to comply with the additional water protection measures.

Mike Gillette, Ward I
“I do not believe that the City of Lynchburg should stand in the way of further development by Liberty University. Liberty is an important corporate citizen and its faculty, staff and students are important members of our community. It would be unfair to subject Liberty to extra-legal requirements to which we do not hold other, similar, entities. However, high impact projects should be held to high standards regarding traffic control, environmental protection and infrastructure support. I would work cooperatively with Liberty to generate the most sustainable and lowest impact development possible, consisent with the authentic character of our City.”

Jim Martin, Ward I
While I would like to see the property remain undeveloped, it is private property, therefore they have the right to develop the property in a way that benefits them. They are a very important contributor to our economy and culture and we need to continue to support their efforts to expand onto Candler’s Mountain, as long as the development meets zoning requirements. Also, if their development plan meets Federal and State water quality requirements, I don’t think it is appropriate to expect them, or any other entity or individual, to comply with extraordinary rules that are not legally required.

Tom Shahady, Ward I
Thursday’s question illustrated candidate differences when one challenger stated environmental protection “is of little or no benefit” and the other “routine.” Liberty University desires development throughout Candler’s Mountain beyond the LU monogram. I testified and planning commission suggested plausible alternatives for campus growth protecting the environment while allowing expansion. Candler’s Mountain is protected in our Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map. Why would we ignore our own plans? During development by law Liberty must make parallel improvements somewhere in Virginia. We are simply asking for those improvements here in our community. Who do you trust to protect the environment?

Ceasor Johnson, Ward II
It is always good to have proper planning. Liberty University owns most of the property on Candlers Mountain and as private developers they have a right to develop their property. As the members of city council we are charged with making sure it follows with the surrounding area of the city. We concerned about the environment impact this develop will cause. We must try to get the best plan before any earth is moved. All developments should be held to the same standards. Mitigation is a practice that is not uncommon is major building projects to offset environmental concerns.

David Johnston, Ward II
Liberty, like it or not, is a major asset to this community. It is one of the top employers and adds a large amount of money to the local economy by way of students that are not much of a drain on the system. If it were another business (Areva, Frito-Lay,etc.) requesting expansion, would they also be placed under extra scrutiny (ie. “beyond the requirements of state and federal law”). Yes, Liberty must expand and should be accommadated in doing so. If it becomes a problem during expansion that the current regulations are not being met, then extra measures can be taken.

Jeff Helgeson, Ward III
Liberty University is an asset to Lynchburg. They bring so much life and vitality to our community. Thousands of students come to Lynchburg to expand their knowledge base from all over the world. If you want to see something exciting, go over there and watch the football team compete with 12,000 cheering fans enjoying the game with you. Also one can look at what they do for the tax base as they fill up the hotels, restaurants, and the shopping centers. Selectively placing more burdensome restrictions upon Liberty than you would others, is unfair, unjust and unwise.

Nat Marshall, Ward III
I support in concept Liberty University’s expansion plans on land it owns on Candler’s Mountain. As is true with any proposed development, individual or corporate property rights have to be balanced against the legitimate concerns of the broader community. Along with dorms, LU’s plan includes recreational amenities which will provide many benefits to the City, but not without significant financial and environmental costs. Absent a compelling argument by Liberty University that it should not have to offset any waterway damage inflicted during construction by making parallel improvements somewhere within the watershed, I would support the recommendations of the Planning Commission.

Turner Perrow, Ward IV
Our city needs to support smart growth and development. I define smart growth as development that provides the greatest long term economic benefit with the least adverse impact. The Falwell Ministries are our second largest employer in the area and create a tremendous amount of growth and jobs in our community. The Planning Commission should work with our corporate citizens to promote smart growth opportunities and minimize environmental, traffic, and other impacts within the limits of the existing laws. Join us at a town meeting, today, at Mountain Frost Creamery, Wyndhurst from 12:30 to 2:30PM! www.TurnerPerrow.com

Marie Waller, Ward IV
Liberty University is a great asset to the Lynchburg community. Nevertheless, it and other institutions and businesses should be subject to requirements that will reduce or eliminate whatever adverse environmental effects their development plans may entail. A requirement that waterway damage during construction be offset with parallel improvements in the same watershed is appropriate. Every locality must legislate in response to its own unique environmental characteristics. Establishing a requirement that would go beyond state and federal laws would clearly demonstrate Lynchburg’s leadership in protecting the environment.