I agree with the authors of this article that much of the charm of the plateau area is being compromised by development. Having lived on the plateau since 1988, it's obvious. As I've said to my wife on a number of occasions "the plateau is becoming more like Southern California every day." 

How many housing developments, retail businesses, and gas stations do we really need? Do our city leaders have the wisdom and perspective to make responsible decisions that consider the needs of the environment as well as people? 

Seriously though, when nature and developers collide, nature generally loses. Past experience tells us that in the name of progress, the natural beauty that attracts so many to an area is gone after the developers finish their work.

Once the natural beauty is gone, it is impossible to replace. Or as the singer Joni Mitchell said: "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."