Traffic is Dorr residential development’s biggest problem

ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” story. It is an editorial by the editor.

• “I moved out here to get away from the city.”

• “Not in my back yard (NIMBY).”

• Ninety percent of the people who show up at meetings come here to bitch.”

The three previous quotes are the most common reasons rural folks give when they state their opposition to residential developments encroaching on their peaceful, uncomplicated lifestyles, like in Dorr Township.

Such comments have been common in the past week when the news came about plans for massive apartment complex at the corner of 14th Street and 142nd Avenue, and a rezoning request to turn a longtime agricultural parcel into nine residential properties near the Kent-Allegan County border between Dorr and Byron townships.

Unfortunately, just because you move out of the city or suburbia to a rural area, you cannot dictate who can do the same. You cannot keep others out unless you are rich enough to buy up all the land that surrounds you. Zoning exists to assure the orderly growth of neighborhoods and communities, but it can’t be used as a hammer against those who don’t live here yet.

Therefore, it seems this selfish attitude is not a solid defense against urban sprawl. Indeed, the U.S.-131 corridor between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo has been at risk for population growth for some time — it is inevitable. The only thing local government can do about it is manage it with that much-maligned process called regulations.

That’s exactly what the Dorr Township Planning Commission and the Dorr Township Board were doing when they voted to allow these proposed changes, much to the chagrin of the projects’ neighbors. Indeed, it all seemed a bit rushed, but Supervisor Jeff Miling was correct in his assessment that no one was likely to change how they vote by sitting on the issue for another month. And if the projects meet the requirements of the master plan and rules for rezoning, it makes sense to grant approval.

There is one huge problem, however. Those who are talking about traffic congestion along 142nd Avenue have valid concerns that need to be addressed by the proper authorities as soon as possible.

Planning Commissioners and Township Board members alike have conceded that 142nd Avenue is becoming one of the most traveled arteries in the region between north of Kalamazoo and south of Grand Rapids. It has become a motorist’s challenge during morning commutes to work and school and during afternoons coming home from work or school.

The U.S.-131 exit north and south on the bridge east of Dorr has become hazaradous and there have been too many long waits for vehicles, particularly big rigs in the winter. The hills on 142nd Avenue to the west make things even dicier in terms of getting a good visual when pulling out from 14th Street.

Because this residential project appears to proceeding apace, it is important that local government officials insist the Allegan County Road Commission and all regional highway safety experts become involved in coming up with some solid answers to the growing problem.

The potential traffic issues are much greater than the speed of the project’s approval and the selfish “keep out” attitude some officials and neighbors. The traffic troubles must be resolved to save headaches and save lives.