The Watson Township Board Thursday night voted 5-0 to accept amendments to the local zoning ordinance to better handle private drives in rural agricultural areas.
Trustee John Caras said the purpose was craft “fair and reasonable adaptations in the ordinance, not to prohibit private drives ,but to promote public roads and maintain the rural aspect of the master plan.”
Supervisor Kevin Travis said the reason for the amendments was that “Development pressure is on us and we ant to be able to deal with it. It’s been a long time coming.”
The Watson Township Planning Commission., of which Caras is a member, has been working with the Battle Creek planning firm of McKenna & Associates on the amendments.
“We are one of the few underdeveloped areas between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo,” Caras pointed out.
In other business at Thursday’s meeting, the Township Board:
- Voted to alert Professional Code Inspections about the existence of a wildcat gravel and sand mining operation on 122nd Avenue.
- Agreed to implement the B S & A firm’s program for permitting residents to make on-line payments for utility and tax bills.
- Approved the appointment of firefighter Tim Holmes to a seat on the Wayland Area Emergency Services Board, replacing Travis.
- Agreed to renew the 30-year franchise agreement with Michigan Gas Utilities.
- Accepted the bid from Scott Langlois for snowplowing services at the township hall, fire station and park driveway. The seasonal rate will be $3,000, plus $140 for salting and $1,100 for the driveway at the township park on M-222.
- Learned from Caras that the township has submitted development plans to the State of Michigan for the Seven Generations Park.
- Recognized the services of Caras and Clerk Kelli Morris, both of whom were attending their last meetings. Morris was clerk at Watson for 25 years and is retiring. Caras served the remainder of the term left vacant by the resignation of Jack Wood and was hailed for his work in technology.
- Welcomed new Trustee Joseph Yearous and new Clerk Mary Ann Baker, who will attend their first meetings next month after being elected Nov. 5.
