Please.

Why is it again that Great Falls is not developing as fast as the rest of the state? Oh yeah, could this be it?

Particularly telling is the following quote: "Phil Faccenda, an architect who grew up nearby on 9th Avenue South, said the project would adversely affect property values of homes to the north by greatly increasing traffic...'The homes are in good repair and should be protected from encroachment,' Faccenda said. He also questioned why the Walgreens couldn't be built on the half of the block fronting 10th Avenue South that already is zoned commercial, leaving the residential buffer alone."

Catch that? Leave the houses on the south side of 9th Street to protect the "residential buffer." Gosh, Phil, what do you think that would do to the property value of those houses? I'm guessing you don't really care. All of this high-mindedness is really just to protect your (or your parents') property.

If you live less than one block from a busy commercial thoroughfare, you simply do not have the reasonable expectation that it will never change. I know it probably sounds cold-hearted, but 10th Avenue South has been growing for years. If you own property on 9th, or even 8th Avenue South for that matter, it has already depreciated. And will continue to do so. We simply cannot as a community hem in all future growth because of houses on 9th Avenue South.

Call the Planning Board and tell them.