Operation "Big Yellow Taxi"

My name is Nicole Carroll and I have been privileged enough to live near the Blue Hills Reservation. For my whole life, I have been able to create fond memories with family and friends in the Blue Hills. Taking nature walks, hiking, or just finding a quiet and comfortable spot to sit and appreciate the beauty of this earth that so many of us overlook. There is an injustice on the verge of taking place. The owners of the Lantana Function Hall in Randolph, Massachusetts, are proposing to destroy part of the reservation. For what, you might ask. To put their parking lot in a more convenient location for it's customers. Instead of the parking lot being located across the street from the function hall they are going to demolish what is suppose to be protected land, to erect a 347 or so, spaces worth of parking lot. Intending on paving over the life that thrives there, and has for centuries. This particular location in Blue Hills also includes ancient stone walls, ledgy knolls "topped with giant brick-colored boulders." It offers natural and unnatural history to be explored by anyone curious enough to find it. As does most of Blue Hills. Generation after generation have fought to to keep it safe from those, like the Hart family, who own Lantana Function Hall, determined to destroy it.
     
      The land in danger of being destroyed is 3.2 acres of an all ready established ecosystem, where trees stand tall and wildlife have made they're home. It also includes the first 250 feet of the Smith hiking trail. The Lantana Function Hall has declared that the parking lot that has been in use for at least 35 years by their patrons is no longer adequate. They argue that it is a hazard to their patrons lives to have to cross the so-called dangerous street, though it has been said by Mr. Hart that the crossing does not have enough traffic volume to justify a traffic light. In addition, the study concluded that other measures such an overpass or underpass, or a well-marked crossing with a speed bump, would be only a "Band-Aid". Which is it, Mr. Hart? An incredibly dangerous street that threatens the lives of your patrons? Or a low traffic area, not in need of a traffic light? The Hart Family has provided no hard evidence to support that this sudden endangerment to the patrons and workers of the Lantana actually is a "chronic pedestrian safety issue", nor have they attempted to. There is not one incident of death or serious injury on record due to the parking lot being across the street from the function hall. It is a pathetic attempt to give a valid reason to ruin what little is left of forestry in the area. Secondly, why demolish reservation land? It should be at the cost of the Lantana Function Hall, not at the cost of land reserved for wildlife and natural landscape, this parcel of land in particular for almost a century! There is another agenda in mind by the hart family. One concerning money.
      The Hart family has offered up two different parcels of land that do not have the same ecological value, or centuries old intact history. One being along side the highway and in no danger of being developed. He did this  to, "sweeten the deal." I am starting this petition in hopes of stopping the "Lantana land swap" To set a precedent that will ensure the longevity of our beloved parklands and safety of the animals who inhabit them.

Our town leaders may be able to ignore those who oppose it now but there is strength in numbers. BE THE CHANGE...help make this world a better place!

My name is Nicole Carroll and I have been privileged enough to live near the Blue Hills Reservation. For my whole life, I have been able to create fond memories with family and friends in the Blue Hills. Taking nature walks, hiking, or just finding a quiet and comfortable spot to sit and appreciate the beauty of this earth that so many of us overlook. There is an injustice on the verge of taking place. The owners of the Lantana Function Hall in Randolph, Massachusetts, are proposing to destroy part of the reservation. For what, you might ask. To put their parking lot in a more convenient location for it's customers. Instead of the parking lot being located across the street from the function hall they are going to demolish what is suppose to be protected land, to erect a 347 or so, spaces worth of parking lot. Intending on paving over the life that thrives there, and has for centuries. This particular location in Blue Hills also includes ancient stone walls, ledgy knolls "topped with giant brick-colored boulders." It offers natural and unnatural history to be explored by anyone curious enough to find it. As does most of Blue Hills. Generation after generation have fought to to keep it safe from those, like the Hart family, who own Lantana Function Hall, determined to destroy it.
     
      The land in danger of being destroyed is 3.2 acres of an all ready established ecosystem, where trees stand tall and wildlife have made they're home. It also includes the first 250 feet of the Smith hiking trail. The Lantana Function Hall has declared that the parking lot that has been in use for at least 35 years by their patrons is no longer adequate. They argue that it is a hazard to their patrons lives to have to cross the so-called dangerous street, though it has been said by Mr. Hart that the crossing does not have enough traffic volume to justify a traffic light. In addition, the study concluded that other measures such an overpass or underpass, or a well-marked crossing with a speed bump, would be only a "Band-Aid". Which is it, Mr. Hart? An incredibly dangerous street that threatens the lives of your patrons? Or a low traffic area, not in need of a traffic light? The Hart Family has provided no hard evidence to support that this sudden endangerment to the patrons and workers of the Lantana actually is a "chronic pedestrian safety issue", nor have they attempted to. There is not one incident of death or serious injury on record due to the parking lot being across the street from the function hall. It is a pathetic attempt to give a valid reason to ruin what little is left of forestry in the area. Secondly, why demolish reservation land? It should be at the cost of the Lantana Function Hall, not at the cost of land reserved for wildlife and natural landscape, this parcel of land in particular for almost a century! There is another agenda in mind by the hart family. One concerning money.
      The Hart family has offered up two different parcels of land that do not have the same ecological value, or centuries old intact history. One being along side the highway and in no danger of being developed. He did this  to, "sweeten the deal." I am starting this petition in hopes of stopping the "Lantana land swap" To set a precedent that will ensure the longevity of our beloved parklands and safety of the animals who inhabit them.

Our town leaders may be able to ignore those who oppose it now but there is strength in numbers. BE THE CHANGE...help make this world a better place!

Secretary Ian A. Bowles
EOEA, Attn: MEPA Office
Anne Canaday, EOEA No. 14115100
Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston MA 02114

ian.bowles@state.ma.us




Dear Sec. Bowles:

We the undersigned are very concerned about the proposed land swap of 3.2 acres of Blue Hills Reservation property located in on High Street in Randolph. The owner of the Lantana function hall has offered to swap property that is greatly inferior in value to the prime, wooded parkland that the Commonwealth will be forfeiting in this deal.

The two parcels the developer is offering to trade are not of equal value. One is a land locked parcel, with no trails, no access for development and invasives that degrade its biologic value. The other parcel the proponent offers is wetlands which the Commonwealth already protects from development.

We urge you to require the developer to complete an accurate appraisal assessing the fair market value of the Reservation land. The appraisal prepared by Lantana grossly undervalues the parkland because it is over three years old and it limits the potential use of the land to a parking lot.

I understand that you have required the owner of the Lantana function hall to update the appraisal. Please accept only an accurate appraisal of the true market value of the land.
I also know that you have made a commitment to require adequate compensation to all Article 97 land, which includes the Blue Hills Reservation. I ask you to act on that commitment.

Thank you for your attention to this issue that lies at the heart of Article 97 land protection.

Sincerely,
[your name here]
Thank-you for caring :)