Like many people who live in and around Black Diamond, I’ve taken the time to learn about the two proposed master planned developments here in Black Diamond. I’ve read the recent letters to the editor and I feel compelled to voice my support for these two projects. I see these developments as a step forward, and a step in the right direction. I’m a businessman and a Black Diamond property owner, and I consider any issues surrounding the MPDs from both those perspectives.

I knew long before now that the city had a vision for planned growth that is to be implemented slowly. After reviewing the MPDs, I see that vision as a reality with YarrowBay. This project is laid out over the next 15-20 years, not the next year or even five years as some like to say. This project does nothing more than follow the vision set forward by the city and the residents of Black Diamond long before YarrowBay was in the picture.

As a business owner, I see the economic opportunity that this region has struggled to realize for years. One thing we can all agree on is that things change as time goes by. Development happens all the time, but when development goes wrong it’s often because it doesn’t have good planning. I don’t see that happening with YarrowBay. The process of creating a Master Planned Community forces the city and the developer to look at the plans from a much larger perspective. Concerns of both old and new residents are more than considered during this process and the resulting MPDs consider traffic solutions, water quality, environmental impact, and many other solutions that aren’t taken into consideration with different types of development.

What the city has been looking for is a partner for these developments, and I believe we’ve found that. We have the opportunity to see economic growth in our area for the first time in a long time. Black Diamond is going to develop, that’s what strong communities do. I think the master plans being presented are the right way to develop.

Russ Cahill

Black Diamond