Wading through the Statesman‘s letters-to-the-editor page, something stands out amidst wheezing, watered-down Las Manitas outrage and a confused offering of “but Clinton lied too!” so old it’s ready to collect a pension, something rather interesting: a letter from local political consultant Mike Blizzard regarding the article on Lee Leffingwell’s SOS “loosening” that ran last week:
I was paraphrased as saying that current limits on redevelopment over the aquifer “cut into profits for developers.” I never said that.
I did say that there are old developments over the aquifer that have no water quality controls and are polluting Barton Springs. The problem is that the amount of impervious cover is directly related to the amount of square footage and parking, so even a deteriorating structure can generate more money for a property owner than ripping up 75 percent to 80 percent of the concrete to redevelop under existing rules. So those old developments keep polluting.
If we allow property owners to redevelop their properties with their existing impervious cover and require them to add water quality controls and contribute to the preservation of open space, we can clean up pollution in Barton Springs without increasing impervious cover over the aquifer.
Mike Blizzard
At the end, this:
Editor’s note: After reviewing interview notes, the paper stands by the story’s characterization of Blizzard’s remarks.
Hmmm. Real Rashomon situation at the Batcave this morning.
This article appears in August 10 • 2007.