To the editor:

The proposed Airport Business Park should be voted down by the City Commission. Every square foot of flood-prone river bottom that is developed will require stormwater mitigation paid for with taxes. That, in turn, will only encourage further development in the area and further expensive flood mitigation. Before going down that road, smart city planning should recognize and protect valuable farmlands and wetlands that are natural drainage areas.

The developer, Jes Santaularia, claims that this project is “desperately needed.” No one else seems to think so. There is no lacking for vacant industrial real estate in Lawrence, and no apparent demand. Let’s spend our taxes where they are desperately needed, on maintaining and improving infrastructure, and not on paving over the rich natural heritage of the northern floodplain.

David Baird,

Lawrence