Groveland Twp.-At least two key property owners are balking at a joint proposal by township officials for a long-term ban on sanitary landfills.
In April a proposal to restrict and prevent the development of a solid waste landfill for at least the next 15 years was offered by both Groveland and Holly townships to five landowners in an area between Dixie Highway and I -75, with a northern boarder of Holdridge Road and Buckell Lake Road to the south. At issue is approximately 700 acres of prime real estate crossing both townships eyed as prime area for a landfill say township officials.
In return to signing the agreement, the property owners would have received tax benefits and assistance of the Oakland County planning and development agencies in marketing the parcels for future use.
Robert DePalma, Groveland Township supervisor and Dale Smith, Holly Township supervisor met with property owners, from Gibraltar National, Star-Batt, Mount Holly, William Leoni and Kurtz Gravel Company on March 21 to discuss the proposal.
‘We’ve been fighting to not have a landfill in the area for 30 years,? said DePalma. We are looking at an area for a technology park, some commercial and some residential areas. The offer was going to be good until the end of April. After that it’s off the table and then we have some other ideas.?
Since than both Steve Stolaruk of Star-Batt Inc., and Leoni have said they will not sign an agreement with the townships.
Stolaruk owns 95 acres and says the property is now for sale.
‘I’d rather sell the property than develop it,? said Stolaruk. It’s a difficult situation. My property is a gravel pit, sometimes they can be developed sometimes they can’t.?
Stolaruk has owned the property for about 34 years and says he’s been approached regarding a landfill but has not made any decisions on future development..
‘I’m not saying, ‘yes or no,? about a landfill’but right now we’re not doing anything. The economy is bad.?
Property owner William Leoni, owns 122 acres in Holly Township and is mining sand and gravel from the site. He currently owns Holly Disposal and is also the former owner of Citizen’s Disposal a landfill located near US-23 and Grand Blanc Road in Mundy Township lives near the facility.
‘I’ll continue to listen and entertain what the townships have to say,? said Leoni. ‘But I’m not going to sign any agreement. Right now there’s just a few years of landfill capacity left in Oakland County’they’ll have to ship their waste out of the county which will double the cost for residents.?
‘The property is at the northeast corner of Holly Township, behind the Mt. Holly Ski Hill and can be accessed from Holdridge Road,? he said. ‘The pit would handle 14 million cubic yards of refuge and last about 10 to 14 years.?
Leoni has battled for a landfill on his township property since early 1980 however, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled in 1992 that further requirements must be complied with prior to construction.
‘I currently live next door to the landfill here in Mundy Township and I don’t even know it’s there.?
Township Supervisor Bob DePalma says another proposal from both Groveland and Holly township is currently under consideration.
‘It’s obvious what the property owners plans are,? said DePalma. ‘All we are asking for is no landfill.?