Up next, Jenna chains herself to a tree

(Sent to neighbors4serenity)

I and 4 other neighbors attended tonight's (Monday) Planning Commission meeting. Here are some of my observations:

The case before the commission was a public hearing for an individual requesting a special permit to build an outbuilding on his property--basically a workshop and storage for ATV's, tractor, etc. There were photos, site plans, and Steve Peterson had made a site visit as well to walk the property and view the surrounding properties. The board asked if they had received any letters or phone calls about this case, and there had been none.

Steve's recommendation to the board was that the structure was within the guidelines of the township, and the building and materials used "would fit in with the neighborhood".

Not on the agenda, but Steve asked for the board's impromptu feedback about a bank that is being built on the Meijer lot (Kraft & 28th st) wondering how the township would feel about their adding a 4th drive-thru lane and or a stand-alone ATM onto their site. Some of the board comments about this idea were:

• "I'm most concerned about NOT creating a traffic hazard
• "The sight is already so tight"
• "I don't know how much more we can really fit..."
• "I'm afraid we've been trying to develop [this site] for the developer. I think they need to bring us a plan and we say yes or no"
• "I'm more concerned about the traffic flow"
• "That's enough. It's like putting a size 10 foot into a size 8 shoe"

I got the impression that they don't really want to interrupt traffic, cram things in, create safety hazards, etc. It gave me a warm fuzzy in regards to the concerns we have for the Tassel parcel being jam-pack-crammed with living spaces.

After the meeting, I asked Steve Peterson if we can expect responses to the letters we've written. He said there's really no way for anyone to respond to them as they have not yet received or seen an actual plan from the developer. He said he would be collecting the letters to copy and give to the board before the public hearing so that they would be informed on how the community feels about the project.

He assured me that the Halland proposal he had seen thus far was nothing more than a sketch with not even measurements etc written in on it, hence why they had asked him to get more detailed information before returning to them with a plan. One of the other board members standing nearby to listen to our conversation asked if I was on Windcrest (yes) and said that they are getting the feeling that there are quite a few people very passionate about this project. They said the original drawing had 97 homes on the site, then tried to remember if it was 103...I mentioned that the latest we had seen/heard was 101 homes. I also mentioned that the ponds keep moving--which got a laugh out of both members.

I mentioned that I hoped they got the impression that yes, a lot of us are very passionate, but it's because we care. I asked what we could be doing to best come alongside the board and work together on the potential development of this site, and Steve said that we don't need to come to all the meetings (we are certainly welcome, though)--he (meaning Halland) won't sneak in and get something approved at the last minute as there are deadlines to get on the agenda etc. He said that if we are organized for the public hearing--as in have a spokesperson from each neighborhood concerned, that will be best. Also in the area of letters, brevity is best (that's HIS recommendation...not mine;-).

I asked if there's anything else we can do, and he said "get on the board...there are spaced open...turn in your name." So...anyone want to volunteer?

All in all, I got a really good feeling that we probably have more on our side than we are anticipating--not to disband and let what will be just be, but at least they are getting a sense that we are "out there", that we are passionate, involved, concerned, and to keep doing what we are doing.

Also--there is a Planning Comission Board Open House at the library Tuesday night 5:30-7pm. Same time as the watershed meeting--which Steve affirmed that storm management water and run-off is a huge issue in the Tassel/Halland proposal. So let's really work that storm water management angle as much as possible! And get people out to talk to the board members, they aren't unapproachable at all--they want to hear from us and serve us the best they know how.

Hope this is a pat on the back to a lot of you as well as a shot in the arm to keep it up.