EDITOR’S NOTE: This story about the proceedings of the Dorr Township Planning Commission meeting of Tuesday evening, June 18, is being republished because it was inadvertently deleted by the Townbroadcast web site.
Three proposals brought before the Dorr Township Planning Commission earned commissioners’ blessing Tuesday night.
They included:
- A rezoning request for a 144-acre site on 14th Street north past 144th Avenue to 146th Avenue, from agricultural to mixed use to accommodate industrial and commercial. The proposal for mixed use came with the likelihood that 14th Street soon will be paved by the Allegan County Road Commission.
- A request by the Schaendorf Land LLC to have the Township Ordinance requirement for width on private roads reduced in commercial and industrial districts which will result in its application throughout the township.
- Site plan review for Moline Christian Schools plans to expand by 9,930 feet away from 144th Avenue and change the parking lot.
The schools’ site plan approval means it does not have to be reviewed by the Township Board, but the other two proposals were recommended for approval by the board at a later meeting.
The rezoning at 144th Avenue Avenue north to 146th involved a 144-acre site fits in with the township’s master plan, but it will mean the number of lot splits permed to be increased from four to as many as 13. Concerns about water runoff will be handled by the County Drain Commission.
Developer Duke Suwyn told commissioners water and sewer hookup will be part of the project.
Developer Jody Schaendorf is a member of the commission, so he excused himself into the audience and abstained from voting.
Schaendorf was seeking to lower private road width requirements from 66 to 50 feet and paving width from 30 to 26 feet. The road would be located in back of the Huizenga Trucking facility.
He said, “It’s all about how you want your township to look. It’ll be a lot nicer road.”
Commission Chairman Dan Beute, who was one of two to vote against the request, said, “I would not like to see the entire township requirement change just because of this one project.”
Commissioner Dan Weber added that he’d prefer the project be granted a variance instead to avoid it being applied to the entire township.
Moline Christian, located at 1253 144th Ave., indicated a desire for expansion because its student numbers have increased to as many as 421 students in grades K-8.
Administrator Daniel Russell promised a change in the parking lot configuration to allow students to be dropped off and picked up more safely.
The site plan approval was unanimous.