Decision could be made at September 22 meeting
By Bruce Rolfe
After learning less then a week before its regular meeting August 25 the Charleston Township Planning Commission could not arrive at a recommendation on a conditional re-zoning application and sent the issue back to the township board to make a decision, the board felt the topic should be tabled until the 4 p.m. September 22 regular township board meeting when a full board is anticipated (Clerk Alese LePert was absent at the August 25 township board meeting) and more information can be reviewed.
Charleston Township Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest told the board and audience at the regular township board meeting August 25 he currently has 36 questions alone to ask the applicant. He said other board members may also have questions. The supervisor adds the Planning Commission had three months to review and discuss the re-zoning application while the Township Board had less then a week to consider making a recommendation.
“Do I think it’s right for us to have four days (working days) where they had three months? I don’t think so. We as a board should at least have the next three weeks before I send a board packet in order for us to go through it and ask questions,” said Vander Roest, who said he is still seeking additional information that may lead to more questions.
Vander Roest said some of his questions involve the site plan review, the entire plan itself and how it fits in “and things that might not be in the application, but how they would fit in.”
The township plans to place any questions by board members on the township’s website at www.charlestontownship.org before the September 22 meeting.
Interstate Capital would like to develop 79.94 acres at the corner of 40th Street and L Avenue and submitted a conditional re-zoning application for a portion of 77.69 acres on L Avenue, east of the property at the corner of 40th and L Avenue, which would be part of the development.
One parcel is already zoned light Industrial. The other parcel is zoned Ag-2. The conditional re-zoning application from Interstate Capital is to re-zone 51.69 acres from Ag-2 to I-1.
Interstate Capital would like to develop the two structures primarily on the parcel already zoned light industrial near the corner of L and 40th Street. However because there are existing gas and electrical lines cutting through the property, the company says re-zoning a portion of the second parcel to light industrial is needed to make the structures economically viable.
Interstate Capital would like to construct two buildings to a maximum of 750,000 square feet each. The buildings would be constructed in phases.
Interstate Capital pointed out at the August 18 Planning Commission meeting the updated proposed conditions comes in response to community feedback and provided an updated, comprehensive list of the offered conditions that would be binding and enforceable on the property in perpetuity.
Interstate Capital has already said it would leave 25 acres of the 76.9 acres currently zoned Light Industrial, in Ag-2.
Not leaving the entire section of land in Ag-2 is what some members of the township felt is inconsistent with the township’s Master Plan and Future Land Use Map.
Planning Commission member Joan Orman said at the August 18 Planning Commission meeting a section in Ag-2 of the parcel Interstate Capital would like to re-zone Light Industrial was specifically left in Ag-2 to keep some separation between industrial and residential.
One resident who lives in the Lakeview Meadows subdivision adjacent to the proposed development felt the re-zoning plan contradicts 11 separate provisions of the master plan the township adopted 35 months ago. The resident also felt the future land use map itself designates the part of the parcel as agriculture, not light industrial.
“Every condition offered is the applicant’s admission of an impact they know they cannot defend. Setbacks and buffers. These are not gifts to our community, they’re damage control. And conditions cannot cure incompatibility with the master plan. They do not transform an agricultural parcel into an industrially designated one. They do not add established infrastructure where the road south of L Avenue do not have. They do not remove the parcel from the wellhead protection area. A conditional re-zoning is still a re-zoning,” said the Lakeview Meadows resident.
Interstate Capital was asked to respond to the citizens’ comment.
“Our proposal is in full accord with both the spirit and the letter of the Charleston Township Master Plan, which is not anti-industry, as evidenced by the existence of industry and industrially-zoned land exactly where we propose to build. The Master Plan states very clearly on page 35: ‘Future industrial development will be directed to the 40th Street-L Avenue area.’ This is exactly the area we propose to develop, and the reason that area’s currently underutilized water infrastructure was created. The same page of the Master Plan also states: ‘Growth of industrial areas will be limited to those areas directly abutting existing industrial areas with established infrastructure.’
“We would encourage neighbors to see our willingness to adapt to concerns raised in public meetings as a sign of our sincere wish to be a good neighbor in the community and part of the ordinary give-and-take in attempting, in the words of the Township Master Plan, to make sure ‘agriculture, industry, and families co-exist, prosper, and thrive’ in Charleston Township (page 33). As we have already indicated, we will fully cover any infrastructure needed for the development.”
Another Lakeview Meadows subdivision resident referred to the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act she said requires zoning decisions to be made in accordance with a plan. She felt approving a re-zoning plan that contradicts a plan the township adopted 35 months ago, with the affected residents on record in unified opposition is subject to challenge in circuit court. She asked the township board to consult with the township attorney before voting or it could cost the township additional money.
Interstate Capital also offered a response to the resident’s claim.
“There’s absolutely no contradiction between our proposal and the Township Master Plan. If the Township had hung a big ‘No Industry’ sign at its entrance, we wouldn’t be here. But one of the parcels comprising our site is already zoned for light industry. Our proposed re-zoning of just part of an adjacent parcel to light industry, leaving a sizable portion of it agricultural, in order to make room for an economically viable development exactly where the Master Plan says such developments should go, is completely in line with what the Township is officially saying to businesses that may be looking to locate here.”
Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Department Plans
Celebration Return with New Fire Truck September 5
The new Galesburg-Charleston Township pumper fire truck is expected to arrive in the City of Galesburg September 5 between noon and 2 p.m. with sirens blaring, celebrating the arrival of the new fire truck.
Firefighters from the local fire department are scheduled to pick up the new fire truck in Minnesota September 4 and will drive the rig back to Galesburg.
Fire Chief Kevin Roomsberg said the new pumper will cost just over $498,555.
Township Board member Josh Balkema, who serves on the Joint Fire Authority Board, said fire truck #1041 will go up for sale. Fire Chief Kevin Roomsberg will determine the sale of the fire truck, whether it is sold to another department or to an auction house.
Trash, Tire Drop Off Event Set for October 17;
City Residents Can Participate in Tire Drop Off
While two separate drop off events will be available to Charleston Township residents October 17, the township is extending an opportunity for City of Galesburg residents to participate in one of the events.
Charleston Township Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest said a trash drop off from 8 a.m. to noon October 17 will be available for all township residents at the township hall. There will be one truck available.
A scrap tire drop off opportunity free of charge will be available from 1 to 5 p.m. at the township hall. A 53-foot trailer will be available
Tires for a Bobcat and Mule will not be accepted. Tires with rims or no rims, and tractor tires will be accepted
The township received a State grant for the scrap tire opportunity.
Speedway Court Hearing Scheduled for September 17
Vander Roest said a short contempt of court hearing August 17 that lasted nine minutes involving permit violations at the Galesburg Speedway, ended in a decision to meet again September 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the Gull Road Courthouse.
Vander Roest said there are four permit violations but the main violation the township would like to see corrected is for a building permit he said was not secured for the tower (press box).
He said the Speedway asked the Township to drop the appeal, however the township did not, setting up a new hearing with Judge Bell September 17.
Data Center, Battery Storage Energy Moratorium Ordinances Approved
The Township Board unanimously approved (clerk Alese LePert was absent) temporary moratoriums on data center and battery storage energy ordinances. The ordinances are for 12 months with a six-month extension.
The township attorney recommended after adoption, the Township Board send the ordinances to the Planning Commission to review existing ordinances to align with the newly adopted ordinances.
The ordinances will become effective 30 days after publication in the newspaper.
In other items covered at the August 25 meeting:
• Vander Roest informed the board a consultant will offer recommendations what water hook up charges should be to help the township determine rates are up to date and current to the costs to operate the water system.
After learning less then a week before its regular meeting August 25 the Charleston Township Planning Commission could not arrive at a recommendation on a conditional re-zoning application and sent the issue back to the township board to make a decision, the board felt the topic should be tabled until the 4 p.m. September 22 regular township board meeting when a full board is anticipated (Clerk Alese LePert was absent at the August 25 township board meeting) and more information can be reviewed.
Charleston Township Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest told the board and audience at the regular township board meeting August 25 he currently has 36 questions alone to ask the applicant. He said other board members may also have questions. The supervisor adds the Planning Commission had three months to review and discuss the re-zoning application while the Township Board had less then a week to consider making a recommendation.
“Do I think it’s right for us to have four days (working days) where they had three months? I don’t think so. We as a board should at least have the next three weeks before I send a board packet in order for us to go through it and ask questions,” said Vander Roest, who said he is still seeking additional information that may lead to more questions.
Vander Roest said some of his questions involve the site plan review, the entire plan itself and how it fits in “and things that might not be in the application, but how they would fit in.”
The township plans to place any questions by board members on the township’s website at www.charlestontownship.org before the September 22 meeting.
Interstate Capital would like to develop 79.94 acres at the corner of 40th Street and L Avenue and submitted a conditional re-zoning application for a portion of 77.69 acres on L Avenue, east of the property at the corner of 40th and L Avenue, which would be part of the development.
One parcel is already zoned light Industrial. The other parcel is zoned Ag-2. The conditional re-zoning application from Interstate Capital is to re-zone 51.69 acres from Ag-2 to I-1.
Interstate Capital would like to develop the two structures primarily on the parcel already zoned light industrial near the corner of L and 40th Street. However because there are existing gas and electrical lines cutting through the property, the company says re-zoning a portion of the second parcel to light industrial is needed to make the structures economically viable.
Interstate Capital would like to construct two buildings to a maximum of 750,000 square feet each. The buildings would be constructed in phases.
Interstate Capital pointed out at the August 18 Planning Commission meeting the updated proposed conditions comes in response to community feedback and provided an updated, comprehensive list of the offered conditions that would be binding and enforceable on the property in perpetuity.
Interstate Capital has already said it would leave 25 acres of the 76.9 acres currently zoned Light Industrial, in Ag-2.
Not leaving the entire section of land in Ag-2 is what some members of the township felt is inconsistent with the township’s Master Plan and Future Land Use Map.
Planning Commission member Joan Orman said at the August 18 Planning Commission meeting a section in Ag-2 of the parcel Interstate Capital would like to re-zone Light Industrial was specifically left in Ag-2 to keep some separation between industrial and residential.
One resident who lives in the Lakeview Meadows subdivision adjacent to the proposed development felt the re-zoning plan contradicts 11 separate provisions of the master plan the township adopted 35 months ago. The resident also felt the future land use map itself designates the part of the parcel as agriculture, not light industrial.
“Every condition offered is the applicant’s admission of an impact they know they cannot defend. Setbacks and buffers. These are not gifts to our community, they’re damage control. And conditions cannot cure incompatibility with the master plan. They do not transform an agricultural parcel into an industrially designated one. They do not add established infrastructure where the road south of L Avenue do not have. They do not remove the parcel from the wellhead protection area. A conditional re-zoning is still a re-zoning,” said the Lakeview Meadows resident.
Interstate Capital was asked to respond to the citizens’ comment.
“Our proposal is in full accord with both the spirit and the letter of the Charleston Township Master Plan, which is not anti-industry, as evidenced by the existence of industry and industrially-zoned land exactly where we propose to build. The Master Plan states very clearly on page 35: ‘Future industrial development will be directed to the 40th Street-L Avenue area.’ This is exactly the area we propose to develop, and the reason that area’s currently underutilized water infrastructure was created. The same page of the Master Plan also states: ‘Growth of industrial areas will be limited to those areas directly abutting existing industrial areas with established infrastructure.’
“We would encourage neighbors to see our willingness to adapt to concerns raised in public meetings as a sign of our sincere wish to be a good neighbor in the community and part of the ordinary give-and-take in attempting, in the words of the Township Master Plan, to make sure ‘agriculture, industry, and families co-exist, prosper, and thrive’ in Charleston Township (page 33). As we have already indicated, we will fully cover any infrastructure needed for the development.”
Another Lakeview Meadows subdivision resident referred to the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act she said requires zoning decisions to be made in accordance with a plan. She felt approving a re-zoning plan that contradicts a plan the township adopted 35 months ago, with the affected residents on record in unified opposition is subject to challenge in circuit court. She asked the township board to consult with the township attorney before voting or it could cost the township additional money.
Interstate Capital also offered a response to the resident’s claim.
“There’s absolutely no contradiction between our proposal and the Township Master Plan. If the Township had hung a big ‘No Industry’ sign at its entrance, we wouldn’t be here. But one of the parcels comprising our site is already zoned for light industry. Our proposed re-zoning of just part of an adjacent parcel to light industry, leaving a sizable portion of it agricultural, in order to make room for an economically viable development exactly where the Master Plan says such developments should go, is completely in line with what the Township is officially saying to businesses that may be looking to locate here.”
Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Department Plans
Celebration Return with New Fire Truck September 5
The new Galesburg-Charleston Township pumper fire truck is expected to arrive in the City of Galesburg September 5 between noon and 2 p.m. with sirens blaring, celebrating the arrival of the new fire truck.
Firefighters from the local fire department are scheduled to pick up the new fire truck in Minnesota September 4 and will drive the rig back to Galesburg.
Fire Chief Kevin Roomsberg said the new pumper will cost just over $498,555.
Township Board member Josh Balkema, who serves on the Joint Fire Authority Board, said fire truck #1041 will go up for sale. Fire Chief Kevin Roomsberg will determine the sale of the fire truck, whether it is sold to another department or to an auction house.
Trash, Tire Drop Off Event Set for October 17;
City Residents Can Participate in Tire Drop Off
While two separate drop off events will be available to Charleston Township residents October 17, the township is extending an opportunity for City of Galesburg residents to participate in one of the events.
Charleston Township Supervisor Jerry Vander Roest said a trash drop off from 8 a.m. to noon October 17 will be available for all township residents at the township hall. There will be one truck available.
A scrap tire drop off opportunity free of charge will be available from 1 to 5 p.m. at the township hall. A 53-foot trailer will be available
Tires for a Bobcat and Mule will not be accepted. Tires with rims or no rims, and tractor tires will be accepted
The township received a State grant for the scrap tire opportunity.
Speedway Court Hearing Scheduled for September 17
Vander Roest said a short contempt of court hearing August 17 that lasted nine minutes involving permit violations at the Galesburg Speedway, ended in a decision to meet again September 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the Gull Road Courthouse.
Vander Roest said there are four permit violations but the main violation the township would like to see corrected is for a building permit he said was not secured for the tower (press box).
He said the Speedway asked the Township to drop the appeal, however the township did not, setting up a new hearing with Judge Bell September 17.
Data Center, Battery Storage Energy Moratorium Ordinances Approved
The Township Board unanimously approved (clerk Alese LePert was absent) temporary moratoriums on data center and battery storage energy ordinances. The ordinances are for 12 months with a six-month extension.
The township attorney recommended after adoption, the Township Board send the ordinances to the Planning Commission to review existing ordinances to align with the newly adopted ordinances.
The ordinances will become effective 30 days after publication in the newspaper.
In other items covered at the August 25 meeting:
• Vander Roest informed the board a consultant will offer recommendations what water hook up charges should be to help the township determine rates are up to date and current to the costs to operate the water system.
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