GRI Moline, developer of a proposed residential and commercial-industrial project on the east side of Division, was back before Leighton Township officials again Thursday night and was turned down again.
The developer’s requests for rezoning to accommodate the project were recommended for denial by the Planning Commission in February and the result essentially was the same this time.
GRI Moline’s vision is to build a 320-unit apartment complex on 44 acres just north of 12th Street at 4501 Division, not far from the Leighton Township Hall, which would require rezoning from agricultural to R-3, rural residential. Also planned is a complex on 10 acres for offices and industrial just north of the apartments.
Todd Stuive, representing the developer, acknowledged the Planning Commission’s recommendation, but told the Township Board since then a traffic study has been done, revealing no serious issues, and it has been reported the sewer and water plant would be able to handle added capacity, especially because there would be more avenue with hookup and user fees.
Stuive noted the 320 units for housing would be included in 18 buildings and there would be two places for entry and exit.
He said he had heard one of the reasons for the township’s reluctance to approve has been fears of creation of another mobile home park, something he and attorney Eric Stark have flatly denied. Another mobile home park, Hunter’s Glen, is located to the north and west on Division.
Stark said the project is consistent with the township’s master plan and and added revenue from taxes and hookup and user fees for water and sewer would handle the expenses of growth.
He added that the surrounding school districts would be happy to have larger student populations because it translates into more state aid payments. Forevermore, he said the increased revenue could pay for more firefighters.
He added, “It’s clear this property will not be agricultural in the future… so what’s it going to be?”
But Supervisor Steve Wolbrink stood firm in his opposition, as did his colleagues on the Township Board, all of whom voted to accept the recommendation of th e Planning Commission.
“We are growing terribly fast,” he explained, insisting the master plan was done under the impression the township would have a population of 7,000 by the year 2040. The township already has more than that number now.
He said the township is not ready to handle this growth because it’s happening too rapidly, severely impacting emergency services and infrastructure.
Clerk Rachel Fennema said, “We have to be able to keep up with that growth.”
Treasurer Jacie Bulstma added, “I’d like to see something about half that size.”
Fire Chief Matt Weston reported the department in March handled a record number of calls and though developers insist more firefighters could be hired, “We can’t find people and we recruit like crazy.”
About the record number of calls, Weston added, “The way April’s been going, we’re going to blow away March.”
