The Watson Township Planning Commission is grappling with a possible ordinance requiring a minimum width for all dwellings, which Commissioner Chuck Andrysiak said might eventually outlaw single-wide mobile homes.
“It just might eliminate all the mobile homes other than double wides,” Andrysiak said, acknowledging he is conflicted about the proposed local law. He said it isn’t fair for the owner or renter of a single-wide trailer who is willing to upgrade, but can’t afford a double wide.
Treasurer Sue Jones agreed, saying, “You might be discouraging younger people from coming in when they can’t afford to build.”
Former Clerk and Supervisor Cathy Pardee said Otsego Township adopted a similar ordinance and has had trouble with some residents artificially adding on inferior structures to meet the width requirements.
The Planning Commission has taken no action on the matter as yet.
In other business, the Township Board:
• Declined to take up a request from Allegan Community Mental Health to add a flier to the mailed tax bills to encourage county citizens to properly dispose of prescription drugs. There was concern it may not be lawful.
• Agreed to spend between $1,700 to $1,900 this year for renewal of bookkeeping, accounting and tax services from Angle and Associates.
• Decided to spend $392.50 on two Watson Township logo flags from Bob Galloway of Allegan to be displayed outdoors and indoors at the township hall.
• Heard a presentation on the state of the Allegan County courts from District Judge William Baillaregon, who continued to talk about the successes of the county’s drug court, veterans court, sobriety court and mental heath court specialty programs.
• Learned from Andrysiak that the Planning Commission has finalized a sign ordinance and likely will have a public hearing sometime in July.
• Heard a presentation from Mike Villlar, a Republican Party candidates for Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney in the August primary election. Villlar said he wasn’t particularly happy with the process by which former Prosecutor Roberts Kenges was succeeded by appointment after Kenges moved on to the Circuit Court bench.
I just don’t think the process was transparent,” he said.
