LKQ must clean up junk cars or lose special permit

A township map of some of the areas that will be affected if the Planning Commission later this year adopts a new solar power ordinance.

Dorr Township Zoning Enforcement Administrator Lori Castello of Professional Code Inspections is giving used car buyer LKQ 15 days to comply with the local junk car ordinance or face the loss of its special use permit.

The auto salvage business, located at 4676 Division Ave., over the last several years has been in a state of non-compliance with the conditions of its special use permit.

Castello Tuesday night told the Township Planning Commission, I have written letter after letter after letter, and every year I have to do it again.”

She asked for the commission’s blessing in threatening to pull the company’s special use permit within 15 days of Monday, July 24.

She said it LKQ is not in compliance, she will have the business meet with the Planning Commission to explain why and it may her to face an Allegan County  judge.

She said the business is an asset to the community, but, “they have to play by the rules just like everybody else.”

Township Board Trustee Chandler Stanton agreed, saying he has received a number of complaints about too many inoperable vehicles bring parked in the LKQ parking lot.

In other business Tuesday evening, the Planning Commission:

  • Re-elected Bob Wagner chairman, Dan Beute vice chairman, Rich Osbun secretary and Brian Boot vice secretary. Wagner has been a member of the Planning Commission since 1975, making him one of the longest serving appointed public officials in Michigan.
  • Had a through walk-through of a proposed solar ordinance, led by Castello. It appears the ordinance will allow solar panels on agriculture property, make them within close proximity of transmission lines near 146th Avenue and 18th Street and 136th Avenue and 20th Street, with a maximum height of 18 feet and with setbacks of 40 feet from another property and 50 feet from the road right of way. Castello will bring back the revised provisions next month and a public hearing may be scheduled later this year.   

2 Comments

  1. David A.

    Maybe Dorr should bring in a few more scrap yards, a landfill, more industrial right next to the main road and maybe a few pot shops. Well, we know they bring in tax dollars for raises and such. Show em how diverse, inclusive and accepting Dorr is. Nevermind the future……and consequences. My opinion, my choice.

    • Harry Smit

      David A.
      Hang tight more are definitely on the way. Reclaimainton/ recycling/ salvage are all the rage currently. They all seem to gather in one area ( currently Dorr Township) . Don’t expect any pot shops…if the governing powers started using weed their decisions would make sense. We the residents of Dorr Township will never accept anything that would make sense for future generations.

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