BY LAURA COLVIN
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Officials seemed ready to reconsider proposed rezoning in Springfield Township after about 150 residents objected to plans they said were vague, unnecessary, and would ultimately result in lost income and decreased property values.
The rezoning was proposed after a review of the township’s master plan revealed several zoning districts the planning commission felt were inconsistent with the plan, or did not reflect current use of the property.
A review of the master plan is required by law every five years.
‘The idea behind that is things change in a community, conditions change,? said Dick Carlisle, who has served as Springfield Township planning consultant for about 27 years. ‘A plan needs to be kept up to date’to accommodate demographic changes, different needs and to protect different interests.?
Ordinances must also be modified and revised so they remain consistent with the master plan, he said.
Officials reminded those in attendance, however, that the planning commission is a recommending body and final decision can only be reached by the Springfield Township Board.
‘We want public input,? said Planning Commission Chair Roger Lamont, during a public hearing at Springfield Township Civic Center Thursday. ‘We want to hear from everyone who wants to speak tonight.?
It was a point Lamont reiterated several times during the meeting, and residents were happy to oblige.
‘I’ve been on that prop since 1972, with plans to use that property to retire on,? said Davisburg resident Cynthia Green, as she spoke on how the rezoning would affect her. ‘Now I’ve been told by the real estate attorney that if it’s (rezoned) to Resource Conservation, my property will drop somewhere between 20 and 40 percent. Then I guess I’ll have to not live so long. That’s my only retirement; that property.?
Resource Conservation zoning would limit use to single-family houses, agriculture, or natural uses such as trails, botanical gardens, and woodland preserves. It would also set regulations limiting size, density, and location of houses and other buildings.
Other residents felt that while township efforts toward conservation were admirable, the community had greater needs elsewhere.
‘Why are we even doing this?? asked Robert Redpath, president of the Pine Lake Forrest Subdivision homeowner’s association. ‘We have commercial people in the area who are concerned because apparently this board has driven a lot of commercial properties away from Springfield Township. We’re hurting for taxes, we have abandoned houses, property values have dropped $200,000-plus and our taxes are though the roof.?
Restaurants and other services, he said, are necessary to bring homebuyers to the community.
‘We need to attract people to the area,? he said. ‘It took three or four years just to get a bloody Kroger’s in here.?
But complaints didn’t come from homeowners alone. Several business people also spoke at the hearing.
‘Imagine you get notice, after thinking you have a great relationship with the township, that (a part) of your property is being taken,? said Cory Bordine, co-owner of Bordine’s Nursery on Dixie Highway. ‘We got that letter and it was a slap in the face.?
Bordine also brought along company attorney John Gabor, who concluded his time on the floor by requesting the commission withdraw the rezoning proposal.
Other business owners and organization leaders brought legal representation, who made statements or implied that litigation would likely follow any decisions to move forward with rezoning as proposed.
Given the large number of questions and concerns raised during the meeting’about 75 percent regarding Bridge Valle’Lamont speculated the commission would engage in further discussion of the issue at the Sept. 17 planning commission meeting.
The commission further voted unanimously to contract with Carlisle Wortman to reevaluate the situation, assimilate public comments, look at boundary issues and produce a more detailed map.
Documents about the proposed rezonings are available at the civic center. Call 248-846-6510 or visit www.springfield-twp.us