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Printer-Friendly ModeKochville Board approves rezoning
September 26, 2005 —
The Kochville Township Board of Trustees Tuesday unanimously approved the rezoning of 13.98 acres of land at the southwest corner of Davis and Pierce roads from single-family residential to mixed-use. The decision followed a unanimous recommendation from the Saginaw County Metropolitan Planning Commission earlier in the evening.
The 4-0 vote (with trustee Patricia Bourdow abstaining due to a conflict of interest) marked a victory for Campus Village, the Rochester Hills-based developer that wants to build apartments and small businesses in an expansion of the Cardinal Townhomes (also owned by Campus Village). The rezoning marked a defeat for local residents, many of whom opposed the rezoning as an unnecessary encroachment into their neighborhood.
Developer Ernest D. Schaefer, of Campus Village, argued before the Board that the project is well suited to the Township's goals. Schaefer criticized residents who believe the project will add low-quality housing, believing that the housing is the top of the line for student housing.
"Anyone who categorizes this (project) as ghetto living is missing the mark," Schaefer said.
The first resident expressing opposition to the rezoning was Stephen J. Yanca, SVSU professor of social work, who lives on Davis Road near the proposed construction. Yanca implored the Board to deny rezoning, stating that over 100 local residents opposed the project. He added that in a recent Township survey, 68 percent of residents did not want apartments, and 77 percent wanted to confine commercial development to the Bay and Tittabawassee corridor.
Dr. Eugene Hamilton, special assistant to the president for government relations, represented SVSU at the meeting. Hamilton argued before the Board that the University has worked closely with Campus Village and supports the plan. Hamilton added that SVSU has worked with Saginaw and Kochville townships on the Cardinal Square development, and that the University would not risk itself by endorsing a negative project.
"The University's planning has not just been limited to the campus," Hamilton said, adding that the University "would be negligent if we weren't looking at the planning around us."
Several residents criticized placing more "unsupervised" students in the area.
"How is it that students have any place at this meeting, while residents are ignored?" resident Gary Hornfeld asked. "You ignored us last week, are you going to ignore us again tonight?"
Another resident stated that more students would mean more trash, noise, vandalism, and be detrimental to the community. Many residents argued that the project should be built off Bay Road, across from campus.
"The financial gain of individuals should not encroach on my quality of life," said another resident.
Not all residents opposed the rezoning. One resident supported the rezoning because additional buildings would add tax revenue to the Township.
Another resident argued that building a traditional campus feel was the only way for the University to continue to attract higher quality students.
"It makes this corner of Kochville alive," she said, pointing out that residents would likely use the businesses as much as the students would.
Overall, Board members did not seem swayed by the residents' objections to the rezoning.
Trustee Lynn Kauer said that "we have to start respecting" that the government recognizes students as adults, pointing out that on-campus students have as little supervision as off-campus students.
"The master plan is not looking at my backyard, they're looking at what's best for the Township," he said.
Supervisor Kenneth P. Bayne also offered support for the rezoning, believing it will add to the region's character as a higher education leader.
"We are a college town," Bayne said. "It's time to accept what we are."
After the approval, Bayne was pleased at what the project will mean for Kochville Township.
"This is going to be a very positive project for the community and residents," he said.
Schaefer estimates construction on the corner businesses will begin in summer 2006, once potential lessees and tenants have been arranged.
Also at the meeting, Crystal Kauer took her seat as the new treasurer. The wife of trustee Lynn Kauer, she replaces Michelle Berger, who resigned July 31. She will serve until the November 2006 elections.
In addition, Bayne reported that the Saginaw County Road Commission is replacing curbs and gutters at the corner of Kochville and Michigan roads. Construction is currently in progress, and should be done in a few weeks, he said.
SVSU hosted Bayne and other Kochville residents at the football game against Findlay on Sept. 17. Bayne was presented with a clock commemorating the 150-year anniversary of the Township. The clock will be kept on display at the Township hall.