Plans to move a car dealership from the City of Wayland west across the U.S.-131 expressway into Hopkins Township may not be dead after all.
A representative of Wayland Ford appeared before the Hopkins Township Board Monday night to ask the board to approve rezoning for a project that already has been turned down by the Planning Commission.
“I don’t think the Planning Commission got the full view of the project,” the representative said
Township Trustee Chuck Wamhoff agreed, saying he voted down the proposal for rezoning because of inadequate information, saying perhaps the commission should have instead tabled it.
“This will be a great addition for Hopkins Township,” the representative told the Township Board.
He said the Schantz family has been making plans for the change of business location for some time, at one time asking for a tax sharing arrangement with the City of Wayland. City officials expressed no interest in such an agreement.
The location would be on the west side of U.S.-131 at 12th Street. Board members were told there is enough acreage for two drain fields and the land will perk for seer services as well.
It was decided that the board will schedule a public hearing for the second week of January.
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the board:
- Tabled a proposal to share the bill for $70,000 to $75,000 to purchase playground equipment at North Park.
- Noted the Allegan County Road Commission voted down a proposal to designate certain roads in the township as “Natural Beauty Roads.”
- Agreed to a two-year contract for $34,725 per year with DK Landscaping for lawn care.
- Noted the Road Commission has indicated it will provide gravel for 126th Avenue from 20th Street to 16th Street, and on 22nd Street from 126th Avenue to 124th Avenue.
• Agreed to seek out ways to fund the services of a resource officer for the village, township and schools. The officer’s contract expires in February.
