In a process eerily similar to rezoning approval for an apartment complex, the Dorr Township Board Thursday night approved a request from Susan McGraw to rezone 55 acres on 108th Avenue between 16th and 18th streets from agricultural to rural estates.
The request two days earlier before the Planning Commission drew criticism from residents and neighbors who oppose continued decline of farm land and explosion of residences replacing it in the township. McGraw wants to sell the 55-acre parcel near the border with Byron Township and have it split into eight separate parcels from the current farm house. Each of the eight parcels would be 8.3 acres in size.
Realtor Brian Silvernail, who represented Ms. McGraw at the meeting, said her parents purchased the farm in 1952 and it’s been in her family for more than 60 years. He noted the property will be served by well water and septic systems.
Township Clerk Debbie Sewers added her voice in opposition, saying, “I’m very overwhelmed by the speed of this being rushed through… Ths is a lot of information in a very short period of time.”
Ms. McGraw, in a written communication, said, “the character of the area already has changed” from agricultural to residential.
In defending the proposed rezoning, Trustee Dan Weber said, “If this meets the requirements of the zoning, why would we vote to oppose that?”
Trustee John Tuinstra said, “Our (the Township Board’s) defense is that we didn’t have this in time. The delay would be in the interest of integrity and caution.”
“Weber countered, “Why have a Planning Commission if we have to micromanage them and double check every thing they do?”
Weber until two years ago had served as the Township Board’s representative on the commission. He was succeeded at the beginning of 2017 by Terry Rios.
Tuinstra, Sewers and Rios said they wanted the issue tabled.
Realtor Brian Silvernail, responding to fears the property eventually could become something more residentially intensive, said, “The project is restricted because of road frontage (on 108th Avenue)” and he pointed out that there are only nine parcels involved in the change.
The final vote for rezoning was 5-2, with Rios and Sewers dissenting.
In other business Thursday night, the Township Board:
• Approved pay raises for Dorr Township Fire Department officials, their first since 2012 — Deputy Chief Dan Berkenpas, from $2,000 to $2,500 annually; Capt. Steve Jurczuk, from $1,500 to $2,000; First Lt. Mark Van Til, $1,000 to $1,500; Second Lt. Alex Berkenpas, $1,000 to $1,500, and Safety Officer Tom Sidebotham, $750.
Treasurer Jim Martin said the entire extra cost for the township budget is $2,350.
• Tabled a request to approve job description checklist for four township employees.
Martin said he believes the Township Board is overdoing its monitoring of part-time employees saying, “General Eisenhouwer probably had a smaller ‘to-do’ list for D-Day… Our job is to retain employees, not make their jobs more difficult.”
• Agreed to pay its $20,000 share with Hopkins Township the cost of replacing the culvert on 136th Avenue.
• Voted 4-2 to pay its $80 per year dues to the Dorr Business Association, with Sewers and Rios dissenting.
• Heard from Wayland Area Emergency Service Board representative Penny Post and Fire Chief Gary Fordham that both agencies have been very busy in 2018 with a lot of calls.