Brandon Twp.- A public hearing for the purchase of more than 50 acres of land using Brandon Fire Department funds could happen as soon as next month.
More than seven months after a property acquisition committee was formed to study two pieces of property located off of M-15’one north of MacPhee’s Restaurant, the other south of Brandon High School’the committee and township board have directed Brandon Fire Chief Bob McArthur to work on a land purchase agreement for the latter property.
‘The decision was made because of the possibility of a cooperative effort with the school district,? said McArthur, explaining that the Brandon School District has expressed interest in purchasing about 15 acres of property adjoining the school back from the fire department if they purchase the land.
Mike Riddle of Brandon Lockwood LLC initially offered the 54 acres to the township at a cost of $1.7 million at a March public hearing. McArthur has said both the amount of land and the price have changed, but not significantly. He declined to give exact numbers, saying the changes happened because of a need to balance the land and are close to the original figures.
The property has four to five acres of M-15 frontage and about 20 acres of wetlands, leaving about 34-35 acres usable.
If the board approves purchase of the land, the Brandon Fire Department would use 4-5 acres of it to build a new fire station, replacing the existing Fire Station #1 in the village, which officials say poses a safety hazard with emergency vehicles responding out of the village. There have been two accidents on South Street in the past two years involving emergency vehicles and several near misses with the increasing number of emergency calls out of the village. Concerns have also been raised with the number of pedestrians, particularly children on the 25-mph roadway, particularly with Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School located on South Street, as well as two elementaries located on Varsity Drive, accessed by South Street.
Brandon School District Superintendent Tom Miller says the district is interested in purchasing a portion of the property from the Brandon Fire Department pending negotiations and cost. Although a definite use for it hasn’t yet been determined, one potential use could be parking for the high school, servicing the performing arts center, and separating student parking from traffic flow with parents and buses, says Miller.
‘There’s many things we could do with it if we can afford to purchase it,? he said. ‘With an activities complex, it could be additional parking for that. Depending on the amount of space, it could be used for future growth for the high school.?
Miller added that although there are a number of items to be reviewed, including cost, he believes it would be great if the township, village, district and fire department could create opportunities for the community in securing a site for future facilities.
Other suggested uses for the property that have been proposed by local officials include a future municipal complex for township offices and a sewage treatment plant.
Village councilmembers are particularly interested in the latter, as the village has been facing septic problems for years and is pursuing sewers.
Township Supervisor Ron Lapp says township growth may necessitate a new municipal facility some time down the road.
‘The purchase of this property will give the township some options in the future,? he said, noting the township would have to reimburse the fire department for any land they used, as the land purchase would be made from fire millage funds. ‘Having long range plans and thinking toward the future is good management practice. It’s a positive move for the township and good for other entities who may purchase land.?
McArthur agrees.
‘I don’t see a loss to the township or the community,? he said, noting that even if in the future, the township decided not to use the land, they could sell it. ‘Everything we do will improve traffic on M-15 and access to the school. It’s a win-win situation.?