There is no more iconic battlefield than Gettysburg. Names like Devils Den, Little Round Top, the Railroad Cut and the High-water Mark have left indelible marks on each of our hearts. Many of us have visited these places on multiple occasions and have fond memories of this historic and picturesque landscape.
We know the value of preserving battlefields as walkable classrooms and places that should be protected so that future generations can share the same experiences we have had. Well, imagine if the next time you visit the battlefield the bucolic views we have come to enjoy and appreciate are now marred with a giant water tower and other 21st-century support structures.
The very essence of the Gettysburg viewshed is now being threatened by a proposed zoning amendment that could change the skyline forever.
On Tuesday, July 26 the Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors will consider a request to amend a zoning ordinance that would increase the maximum height regulations for "essential services" from 35 to 175 feet in Residential and Residential Medium High Districts. This proposed change would open the door for projects such as a recent proposal by the Gettysburg Municipal Authority to build a 175-foot water tower on historic Herr’s Ridge, creating a massive visual intrusion on the First Day portion of the battlefield and overshadowing other critical to the scenic integrity of the park.
We invite you to join us in raising concerns to the Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors about the proposed amendment. It’s essential that we make our voices heard and share our concerns with the Board.
Take a moment to SPEAK OUT – sign the appropriate letter on our website to the Board of Supervisors, emphasizing the need to protect Gettysburg National Military Park’s magnificent viewshed and identify less-intrusive solutions to infrastructure goals. If you are able, please consider attending the Board of Supervisors hearing on July 26 to make your voice heard.
Don’t let Gettysburg’s skyline that we have all come to cherish be scarred forever.
Sincerely,
Jim Campi
Chief Policy and Communications Officer
American Battlefield Trust