State Lawmakers Propose Sweeping Reduction in local Control of Zoning – Purpose – Affordable Housing – Negative Reaction from Area Elected Officials

Bob Yager

At 2/24/26 Board of Trustees meeting Supervisor Robin Buxar asked Manager Joe Merucci to summarize the changes proposed. His comments can be seen on the meeting video starting at about 42:20 https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/KGL-y_dHhCluQTy7c6YoVBzzQ5eHj7Lr/media/1006966

See a SEMCOG summary here

here:https://smcg.informz.net/InformzDataService/OnlineVersion/Pub/bWFpbGluZ0luc3RhbmNlSWQ9MTIyNjQ1NzI=

The link below provided by Supervisor Buxar shows local officials opposition.

https://smcg.informz.net/InformzDataService/OnlineVersion/Pub/bWFpbGluZ0luc3RhbmNlSWQ9MTIyNjc4NzE=

Important Public Meeting, March 10, 2-5 PM, Township Hall. Township Board and County Road Commission (RCOC) to Review Detailed Proposal for Paving Gallagher and Silverbell from Gallagher West to Existing Pavement.

Bob Yager

What we residents know about this project is in the 5/13/25 board meeting packet on pages 103-107

Click to access 753151741.pdf

Key Points in Packet Information

Cost to Township $1,200,000 – $1,400,000 plus property acquisition costs.

Total cost $12,000,000 – $14,000,000

Large Federal grant to RCOC.

“Hundreds of trees to be removed”.

“Property acquisition” (For what? Traffic Circle??)

Manager Joe Merucci said that RCOC wants approval by May.

We paid $48,000 for the study so far.

Two Board of Trustees Meetings on Tuesday, February 24

Bob Yager

First at 6 PM is a Special Meeting. The only agenda item (click on link below) is a closed session to discuss two topics. But note that there is an opportunity for public comment after the closed session.

Click to access 753231350.pdf

Then at 7 PM is the Regular Meeting for second Tuesday of the month. Below is a link to the agenda and meeting packet

Click to access 753231310.pdf

The main items are:

Request by the Gallo Family, 703 East Gunn Road, to conduct its annual fireworks display on
August 1st.

Consideration of approving the Stoney Creek Ravine Nature Park site plan.

Consideration of receiving and filing the 2025 Planning Commission annual report.

Consideration of establishing a meeting date and time to review the Gallagher Road and Silver
Bell Road preliminary paving project report.

We Don’t Have Complete Authority to Ban Things we Don’t Want in Our Township

Bob Yager

The Michigan Zoning Enabling Act 110 of 2006 https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-Act-110-of-2006 leaves a nice loophole for anyone wanting to build something we don’t want in our township. I don’t understand it very well. Perhaps someone will explain it at the March 3 hearing on zoning ordinance changes regarding Data Centers?

125.3207 Zoning ordinance or decision; effect as prohibiting establishment of land use.

Sec. 207.

A zoning ordinance or zoning decision shall not have the effect of totally prohibiting the establishment of a land use within a local unit of government in the presence of a demonstrated need for that land use within either that local unit of government or the surrounding area within the state, unless a location within the local unit of government does not exist where the use may be appropriately located or the use is unlawful.