It was the first time in quite a spell that the Dorr Township Board did not discuss the move into the new township hall at the old Crosswinds Church.
But plenty of attention instead Thursday evening went to proposed ordinance amendments, resulting in three postponements of decisions.
Board members did decide to approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation to rezone the Hapner property at 1252 142nd Ave. from F-Agricultural to I-Industrial. The vote was 5-2 with Treasurer Laurie Perry and Trustee Chandler Stanton voting in the minority.
The parcel is near the ride airing parking lot, and the decision follows the growing trend of welcoming industrial and commercial concerns along 142nd, one of the busiest roads in Allegan County.
But three proposed ordinance amendments also were given the board’s blessing as well.
One amendment would allow increased setback flexibility for c and e districts. Stanton voted no.
Another would define the difference between a home-based business and temporary sales events such as yard sales. One provision for for home occupations to apply for a special use permit and put such businesses under rules governed by complaints over parking. Stanton voted no.
Yet another would simplify greenbelt requirements in residential area, particularly eliminating family-related rules. Stanton voted no.
Postponed was a proposed ordinance amendment for the Planning Commission to include conflicts of interest examinations at the beginning of meetings and adding flexibility for calling off meetings. It was a 4-3 vote, with Stanton, Perry, Clerk Debbie Sewers and Trustee John Tuinstra voting in the majority.
Most of the discussion in the session was about a proposed solar ordinance that resulted in postponement in an effort to get more information, perhaps from Professional Code Inspections.
In other business Thursday night, the board:
- Approved the appointments of Jen Alderink, Carolyn Sandel and Joseph Akers to the Board of Review. Eugene VanPutten will now serve as an alternate.
- Was told by Supervisor Jeff Miling that the township’s semi-annual revenue sharing check from the Gun Lake Tribe’s casino agreement was $18,652.
- Learned from Fire Chief Gary Fordham that as of the end of November the department had handled 462 calls, most of them medical, for the year 2024. A year ago, that figure at this time was only 185. Fordham added that two potential department members were to attend fire academy in Allegan starting in January.
- Was told by Deputy Supervisor Jim Martin that all of the $826,568 of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds now have been committed, including the North Park parking lot paving and part of the cost of buying the old Cross Winds Church to become the new township hall.
