Allegan County and Hopkins Township have until next month to file comments with the U.S. Department of the Interior on the Gun Lake Tribe’s request to take into trust a parcel along 12th Street close to the expressway.
The Tribe has purchased a 130-acre parcel near the corner of 12th Street and 129th Avenue and has not specified plans as to what to do with the property. The township last month decided to file its objection because the move will cause the removal of the parcel from the tax rolls.
Sixth District Commissioner Gale Dugan said Allegan County is seeking input before its files its comments. With the loss of tax revenue in mind, it is looking at options such as a contract between the tribe and township or a franchise.
“This is an opportunity to talk to the tribe on a whole different level,” Dugan told the Township Board. “We are starting a new era in our relationship with the tribe.”
John Shagonaby, representing the Gun Lake Tribe, has offered to negotiate with township officials on the loss of tax revenue.
The tribe has grown by leaps and bounds since it opened the Gun Lake Casino at the Bradley-Hopkins exit on the U.S.-131 expressway in February 2011. It has expanded its facility, added a gas station, convenience store, fast-food restaurant and government complex in Wayland Township on the other side of Hopkins Township.
The tribe was able to take into a trust the Hopkins Township land now occupied by the Jijak Foundation for Native American education and special events. Township Supervisor Mark Evans has maintained the township is losing as much as $100,000 a year in tax revenue with Jijak and this latest land purchase.
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the Township Board:
• Adopted a resolution to place on the Aug. 7 primary ballot a request for a one-mill renewal for fire equipment.
• Tabled a request from M & C Land Co. LLC to rezone a parcel near 12th Street and 133rd Avenue from agricultural to industrial. The request was turned down 6-0 last month by the Planning Commission, but Realtor Brian Silvernail asked for it to be tabled so the company can look at the minutes of the Planning Commission meeting.
The issue will be taken up again at the board’s June meeting.
• Decided against installing rumble strips approaching the intersection of 130th Avenue and 22nd Street, but agreed to ask the County Road Commission to evaluate other visual options.
• Noted the annual Memorial Day celebration will take place at various cemeteries the morning of May 28 with FFA, Boy Scouts and the high band taking part.