The Dorr Township Planning Commission failed to recommend a rezoning request on a 3-3 deadlock Tuesday evening and then voted to take it up again at its next meeting Tuesday, March 15.
Ed and Amanda Ophoff were asking to have their property near 108th Avenue and 21st Street rezoned from rural agricultural to rural estates to open the door to splitting into as many as four lots. Ed Ophoff said they wanted to “make the property more usable” and enable more options.
Several neighbors appeared at the meeting to express opposition.
Dave Stein said he worries that splitting the lots would result in ruining nearby farm land.
Elizabeth Huizenga pointed out that a significant portion of the site is wetlands.
Neighboring farmer Jim Schaendorf said in writing that drainage issues will be a problem if rural estates are allowed for restructuring the site and said the land is much more suitable for farming.
Commissioner Dan Beute echoed the sentiments, saying, “I have concerns with farms draining into it… I would have to stick with leaving it as agricultural.”
Ophoff said rezoning would not make the property inconsistent with nearby uses and he insisted the customary checkoff list showed it is not an example of spot zoning.
Commissioner Brian Boot said, “He (Ophoff) is trying to make better use of his property and he doesn’t want to be a farmer… I don’t think this is that far outside the master plan. It conforms to use of surrounding land (which includes homes).”
Dan Weber agreed, saying, “Whatever he does, it’s not going to affect Jimmy’s (Schaendorf’s) farming.”
Boot moved to recommend the rezoning request to the Township Board. He, Weber and Rich Osbun all voted in favor, but Chairman Bob Wagner, Beute and Larry Dolegowski voted against. Jody Schaendorf was absent, so it is hoped he will be back next month to break the tie.