Sustainable business park granted PUD zoning by Dorr

The sustainable business park proposed for the northeast corner of Dorr Township cleared another hurdle Thursday night with a request for rezoning approved.

The 228-acre business park, which is touted to replace the aging Kent County landfill with a project heavy on recycling and light on more refuse, was rezoned from agricultural to planned unit development (PUD), which is necessary for plans to continue.

The vote was 5-1, with Trustee Chandler Stanton voting no and Trustee John Tuinstra absent.

Representatives from the Kent County landfill again noted the facility just north of Dorr Township is getting close to being shuttered, perhaps by 2029, and officials insist they want to make landfills a thing of the past.

The business park already has a tenant that plans to manufacture roofing material by recycling much of the waste the site would take in. Representatives have made numerous visits to the Dorr Township Board and Planning Commission over the last several years to explain what they intend to do and how.

One of the biggest boosters of the project is Dorr Township Supervisor Jeff Miling. The township already has agreed to contribute $200,000 in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds.

Stanton asked what happened to promises of installing a walking trail and what would be done with wetlands.  He was told a walking trail still is possible and some wetlands that are being replaced will be part of credits system to make up for the loss.

In other business at Thursday night’s meeting, the Township Board:

• Heard a presentation from Amanda Winters of the Parks Commission, who told the board continued problems with vandalism of the bathrooms at North Park will cost money in repairs and may force shutdown after daytime operations. She said the commission is working on a new parking lot and a basketball and volleyball court, to be paid for by $200,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, as approved by the Township Board.
• Learned that former Township Trustee Terry Rios has resigned from the Parks Commission, so a vacancy must be filled.
• Heard about more complaints of eyesores at the LKQ auto parts business on Division and though the company has its site cleaned up, the problem resurfaces.
• Adopted a resolution to provide a cost of living allowance (COLA) for employees such as firefighters, maintenance and fire department officials. Clerk Debbie Sewers remarked, “As far as I know, the fire department never has been given COLA before.”
• Approved a request from the Marta’s Way condominium to extend its home building project for another year. The project is stalled two years after first getting approved. Stanton, who was joined by Treasurer Laurie Perry is opposition, said, “We have time limits for a reason. I see no need for an extension.”
• Agreed to pay J. Flier Construction of Byron Center $7,900 to replace pathways (sidewalks) at Dorr Elementary from its north exit to to Church Street.

COVER PHOTO: An artist’s conception of the anchor tenant at the proposed sustainable business park.