Where the Process Stands Now
Our Planning Commission hosted an informative meeting last night (April 13, 2021) in which many important developments came forth. The planner who wrote the Carlisle Wortman reports shared his work, and the Planning Commission discussed what next steps should be.
It was noted several times that neither the applicant for rezone (Dr. Steven Newman) or the developer (Jon Sawyer, Capital Asphalt) were present at the meeting. The Planning Commission is intending to send the applicants further direction on what further assessments and studies are needed in order to move forward in this process. Dan Stickel, Planning Commission Chairman, shared this list:
Phase 1 (potentially Phase 2) Environmental Impact Study.
Township Engineering Review.
Drain Commission Review.
EGLE Review (Formerly DEQ).
Traffic Impact Study.
Property Value Impact Assessment.
Emergency Management Assessment.
Applicant for all requests must also meet the requirements set forth in the Carlisle Wortman reports.
In addition, the Planning Commission will be scheduling a PUBLIC HEARING, after which they will vote on whether or not to recommend this proposal to the Township Board. This could be as early as May 11 — if the applicant declines to provide further information. If the applicant does provide further information, there could be a public hearing held at a later date (once those assessments are complete) or there could be two (2) public hearings on the matter (if significant information comes forth).
After our Planning Commission makes their recommendation to the Township Board, these proposals will also be reviewed by the Livingston County Planning Commission, who will also make a recommendation to our Township Board.
It was also suggested at the Planning Commission meeting tonight that they consider this battery of assessments (listed above) in the context of the rezoning request, and not only the special land use (asphalt plant) request because rezoning 124 acres to heavy industrial would undoubtedly have harmful cumulative effects on our community.
Thank you to everyone who attended this zoom meeting last night. The Township really takes notice when we show up in large numbers! Even if you didn’t speak, your presence was known and appreciated. For those who did speak, thank you also! We appreciate you all so very much!
Stay tuned - as always, there will be more to report to you, as early as Thursday of this week. Please make sure you’ve subscribed to our regular email updates - so you can stay informed about this very important, and ever-changing issue!
(Note: The Township usually posts the Zoom video of the meeting within a few days. We will post a link here when available.)