I am not “objecting”, but I proposed that using something other than a double layer of baseplates to cover the tables would be much less expensive and leave funding for more interesting components. I think it could be a long term goal to make an elaborate surface covering but I think the initial focus should be on the buildings and trains.
I have a lot of dark green cloth that we could use – see this picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41914153@N03/3868415573/ – or we could buy some white flat sheets or tablecloths. As this picture shows, not all of the table needs to be covered in baseplates/Lego. At least some of the train track can just sit on the table surface.
When my boys were younger, I set up a 4′x8′ LEGO city in my basement starting with a piece of plywood and a can of green spray paint for a combined cost of $9. Assuming that 10″x10″ baseplates cost $5 each, a quick calculation shows that covering the same area in a double layer of baseplates would cost about $460.
Using sheets/tablecloths would allow us to use the MILS standard just for the main parts of the display (Town, Winter Village) thus reducing the need to cover the entire table in MILS built baseplates.
MILS is a great starting point. My experience with other layouts is that we will tweak it over time to meet our LUG’s specific needs. I am going to try to work up a few Town modules this weekend and I will post some pictures here for further comment and discussion.