Concerns are being voiced over how an increase in building heights at Tusayan, just south of Grand Canyon National Park, will impact the park/NPS, Kristen M. Caldon

A spurt of potential growth in the skyline of Tusayan, Arizona, just south of Grand Canyon National Park, has generated concern over how commercialism is impacting the national park.

One lodging company fears that a decision by Tusayan officials to nearly double the allowable building height in town, from 35 feet to 65 feet, will "drastically change the landscape" near the park.

Prior to the town council's decision, the National Park Service had written the council to express concern about the dark skies, water usage, and visitor capacity at the national park.

"The importance of sustainable building, water conservation, night sky protection, and visitor use capacities are of critical importance as we move into the next century of park preservation and management, and we value collaboration with the Town on its planning and zoning initiatives," Grand Canyon Superintendent Chris Lehnertz wrote in a letter to town officials.

Though Superintendent Lehnertz didn't come out and specifically oppose the higher limits to buildings in her letter, written in April, she expressed concern about the view of Tusayan from the park's North Rim if they were approved, as well as how they could lead to light pollution that could impede the park's certification as an International Dark Sky Park.

"Many of the best protected night skies in the country are found within national park boundaries and adjacent lands," she wrote. "The National Park Service focuses on sustainable outdoor lighting because it combines technology, design, and practice in a way that allows parks to increase energy efficiency and enhance visitor experiences.

"Specific dark-sky-friendly lighting could be a design element to consider with the additional building heights being considered."

Local business leaders, a former Tusayan mayor, and the Sierra Club are opposed to the height increase, which was unanimously approved by the Tusayan Town Council. A group of Tusayan residents has filed a petition to place the height increase decision on the ballot. An election date has not yet been sent.

Italian developer Stilo asked for the height increase, acccording to Red Feather Properties, which runs the Red Feather Lodge in Tusayan and owns a number of other commercial properties. Stilo is planning a development in Tusayan that includes 3 million square feet of commercial space and thousands of new homes, the company said, adding that "(T)he mayor and all members of the Tusayan Town Council are employed by Stilo business partner Elling Halvorson."

Local businesswoman and Red Feather Properties Manager Clarinda Vail is leading the effort to overturn the decision to nearly double building heights.

"Not in recent memory has the Grand Canyon been so threatened. Irresponsible development will create irreversible environmental damage. It may increase some nearby property values, mine included, but it will devalue the Grand Canyon to the point where its scenery and pristine wide open spaces would be forever lost," she said.