EDITORIAL: Monastery plans unusual but not incompatible

Posted 9/14/10

With plans brewing for a 144,000-square-foot monastery and coffee-roasting facility, Meeteetse residents anxiously await the Park County Commission's decision on the proposed project.

Opponents and supporters have vocalized their views during …

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EDITORIAL: Monastery plans unusual but not incompatible

Posted

With plans brewing for a 144,000-square-foot monastery and coffee-roasting facility, Meeteetse residents anxiously await the Park County Commission's decision on the proposed project.Opponents and supporters have vocalized their views during recent public meetings, where a recurring concern for Meeteetse area landowners is whether the monastery will draw masses of visitors.Though the monastery would be located on an isolated private ranch — 14 miles from the nearest public roadway — some neighboring landowners worry the elaborate structure still will attract a high number of daily visitors.Ranchers who have open range livestock along Meeteetse Creek Road have valid concerns about the potential influx in traffic, as do those who chose to build homes in the secluded area for the peace and quiet offered there.Yet Carmelite monks who would reside at the monastery stress that they, too, want to maintain the location's peaceful and quiet nature.Plans call for the monastery to be open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., but monks have said the public will be there only for faith-related visits on a rare basis. And they assure the 150-seat chapel will be used only on rare events, such as a monk's ordination.For the sake of neighbors in the area, we hope the promise holds true — that the monastery is a place of solitude rather than a sight tourists flock to see.If Park County Commissioners approve the project, monks residing on the Meeteetse ranch must be conscientious neighbors. The Meeteetse Creek Road is private, and it's understandable why ranchers want to keep traffic at a minimum. The monks must ensure the monastery doesn't attract a constant stream of visitors.However, landowners also must be reasonable with their concerns and requests. Development occurs, and though change isn't always welcome, the New Mount Carmel Foundation should have the right to build at the site, as long as monastery plans meet planning and zoning rules.No Meeteetse resident ever expected a 144,000-square-foot French Gothic monastery to be proposed in their community — but just because the project is uncommon in Wyoming's mountains doesn't mean it should be unwelcome.

With plans brewing for a 144,000-square-foot monastery and coffee-roasting facility, Meeteetse residents anxiously await the Park County Commission's decision on the proposed project.

Opponents and supporters have vocalized their views during recent public meetings, where a recurring concern for Meeteetse area landowners is whether the monastery will draw masses of visitors.

Though the monastery would be located on an isolated private ranch — 14 miles from the nearest public roadway — some neighboring landowners worry the elaborate structure still will attract a high number of daily visitors.

Ranchers who have open range livestock along Meeteetse Creek Road have valid concerns about the potential influx in traffic, as do those who chose to build homes in the secluded area for the peace and quiet offered there.

Yet Carmelite monks who would reside at the monastery stress that they, too, want to maintain the location's peaceful and quiet nature.

Plans call for the monastery to be open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., but monks have said the public will be there only for faith-related visits on a rare basis. And they assure the 150-seat chapel will be used only on rare events, such as a monk's ordination.

For the sake of neighbors in the area, we hope the promise holds true — that the monastery is a place of solitude rather than a sight tourists flock to see.

If Park County Commissioners approve the project, monks residing on the Meeteetse ranch must be conscientious neighbors.

The Meeteetse Creek Road is private, and it's understandable why ranchers want to keep traffic at a minimum. The monks must ensure the monastery doesn't attract a constant stream of visitors.

However, landowners also must be reasonable with their concerns and requests. Development occurs, and though change isn't always welcome, the New Mount Carmel Foundation should have the right to build at the site, as long as monastery plans meet planning and zoning rules.

No Meeteetse resident ever expected a 144,000-square-foot French Gothic monastery to be proposed in their community — but just because the project is uncommon in Wyoming's mountains doesn't mean it should be unwelcome.

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