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

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.

Sentinel Being Temporarily Discontinued

The Sentinel is being temporarily discontinued while we consider reconsider our mission.

Read minutes on the township website, read “The Record” newspaper or attend township meetings in TV or in person to keep up with current township government meetings. If you have difficulty finding what you want on the Township website, send me an email and I’ll post clear instructions on the website for how to find it.

Bob Yager

Agenda for Dec 10th Parks Meeting and Draft Minutes for November Meetings – including Joint with Historic District Commission

Of particular interest to me are comments by a resident who live immediatley adjacent to Fox Nature Preserve about dangers of off-leash dogs in this park to his 2-year-old daughter. See his remarks starting on page 11 in packet below. Thanks to recording secertary Ingrid Kliffel for providing a complete summary and not just his name only as we get in Board of Trustee minutes.

In my opinion all of our parks need stricter enforcement of our leash ordinance. Issue warning tickets and if there are repeat offenders, $500 fines.

Click below

To watch all or part of the one-hour Parks November 12th meeting video, click below:

https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/KGL-y_dHhCluQTy7c6YoVBzzQ5eHj7Lr/media/987037

To watch all or part of the one-hour joint Parks and Historic District Commission meeting of November 12th, click below:

https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/KGL-y_dHhCluQTy7c6YoVBzzQ5eHj7Lr/media/987028

Available – Agenda and Packet for Tuesday, Dec. 9th Board Meeting; Draft minutes from Nov. 11th meetings

Click on this link below to see the packet and info.

One big item is the 2026 budget for approval. The packet contains an overview of where your real estate taxes go (18% to Township) and a listing or top personnel. Per state law none of this information need be supplied; even an agenda is not required by law.

Its interesting to note that the Nov 11th closed session included an “evaluation of the township manager”. This can be done in closed session if requested by the Manager. See state law below.

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-15-268

15.268 Closed sessions; permissible purposes; applicability to independent citizens redistricting commission.

Sec. 8.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), a public body may meet in a closed session only for the following purposes:

(a) To consider the dismissal, suspension, or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, or to consider a periodic personnel evaluation of, a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent, if the named individual requests a closed hearing. An individual requesting a closed hearing may rescind the request at any time, in which case the matter at issue must be considered after the rescission only in open sessions.

The law goes on to list other 11 other purposes up to paragraph (l).

One wonders why all our managers opt for closed evaluations?

To watch all or part of the November 11th video click below:

https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/KGL-y_dHhCluQTy7c6YoVBzzQ5eHj7Lr/media/986743