Despite reports of a few problems, the Paris Ridge subdivision development continues apace in Leighton Township.
The Township Board Thursday evening decided to give tentative approval to the preliminary plats for phases four and five of the residential project.
The problems mentioned to board members at their meeting had to do with motorists treating the road like a freeway and existence of a “secret street” that somehow doesn’t show up on Google maps or GPS devices.
A resident of Kingfisher Court said there are three houses on the street, but he’s still worried police, fire and ambulance services won’t know how to get there because their existence hasn’t been acknowledged officially.
Leighton Township Fire Chief Tony said his wife is a 911 dispatcher and he will ask if something can be done to recognize the residences.
The Paris Ridge developer has asked issues involving sidewalks and a three-year deadline for completion be resolved or clarified by Professional Code Inspections.
In other business, the Leighton Township Board members:
• Accepted with regret the official resignation of Banas, who is leaving to take on a full-time job as a captain for the Texas Township Fire Department.
“It has always been my dream since I was a boy to be a farmer, a truck driver and a full-time fighter,” he told the board. “So I have fulfilled my childhood dream.”
Banas promised to stay on as chief as long as needed before his replacement is selected.
• Heard a complaint from Ken Kooistra, who insisted air strip developer Clark Galloway is violating the local ordinance on the size of signs on his property. He was told PCI would be contacted.
• Tabled a request to discuss the proposed River to River Trail from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo because of a lack of information. The presenter was a no-show.
When Supervisor Steve Deer asked how residents feel about establishing a recreational walking and bicycling trail, Clerk Mary Lou Nieuwenhuis replied, “They (the residents) all seem to want parks and trials, but they don’t want to pay for them.”
Deer chimed in, “$300,000 per mile for a trail seems pretty steep.”
Trustee Brian Bonnema said, “There’s a lot of people who want their roads paved more than they want trails.”
• Renewed the special assessment district for Green Lake and Round Lake weed control programs, which the vast majority of residents in the neighborhoods agree are necessary.
“It has been successful, and it’s cost less than anticipatedc,” Deer commented.
