Finding the win-win during negotiations always wise

Published Monday, December 11, 2006

Last week’s news that the Dead Lake Property Owner’s Association and the Blue Heron Bay developers had found some common ground on the project was good news economically, environmentally and on a personal level.

The R. Murray Partnership, led by developer Jim Erickson, had proposed a cluster development of 151 residential units, plus boat slips, on the shallow, 8,000-acre lake. (Erickson and his wife have since bought out the partnership, creating Blue Heron Bay Land Company, LLC.)

Property owners were antagonistic, saying the plan would reduce the quality of the lake for those who lived on it.

Perhaps the most compelling reason for the development, outside of the private financial boost for developers, is the economic boon for the county.

The development — even though Erickson has cut the number of homes to 121 — will add to the tax base and help businesses in communities across the county.

By asking the developer and the county to carefully research the potential for damage from the development, the property owners have ensured the protection of a cherished resource — our lakes. For that, we should all be thankful.

And while it may seem to pale in comparison, the relationship between the developer — who incidentally owned property on Dead Lake when the proposal was first presented — and the association is vital because they are neighbors. In the end, they will run into each other on and around the lake and it just makes sense to keep the relationship cordial.

Of course, both sides still must give some ground as they try to negotiate their differences, but we applaud the effort both groups have made to find a win-win solution for themselves as well as residents of the county.