Property owners will have another crack at speaking their minds about proposed development regulations.
The rezoning issue, which prompted about 150 angry people to speak out at a public hearing held by the Springfield Township Planning Commission, is back on the agenda for discussion Mon., Sept. 17.
The proposed rezoning drew ire from many who said plans were vague, unnecessary and would ultimately result in lost income and decreased property values.
Most who of those who spoke publicly at the hearing live or own property in the Bridge Valley Corridor, an area bounded roughly by Dixie Highway, I-75, Davisburg Road and Holcomb Road.
‘A lot of folks in that area received notice (about the public hearing regarding the rezoning proposal) and came to the conclusion the township wanted to take away or reduce property rights,? said Springfield Township Planning Commission Chair Roger Lamont. ‘Speaking for myself, that wasn’t the intent.?
The commission began working on rezoning last year after a state-mandated review revealed zoning designations not reflective of current use, and inconsistencies between zoning districts and the township’s master plan. By law, a master plan must be reviewed and updated every five years.
Lamont said he was surprised by the number of people who showed up for the public hearing Aug. 2, and equally surprised by the predominately negative reaction incited by the proposed rezoning.
However, he said, the community provided valuable information and feedback.
‘The reason for any public hearing on a rezoning is to get the input from residents,? he said. ‘There was a lot of good input, and there were some things, honestly speaking, that may have perhaps negatively impacted some property owners, and that wasn’t our intention.?
For example, he said, one resident asked about the thickness of the line drawn over his property on a map.
‘That line could mean 50 feet on his parcel,? said Lamont. ‘That’s one of the things I’ll take back for consideration when the commission meets again.?
Another concern gleaned from the hearing, he said, was that rezoning a parcel of land from ‘residential? to ‘resource conservation? might reduce the number of new homes a property owner could build, or change the way that property could be divided.
By definition, resource conservation zoning would limit use to single-family houses, agriculture, or natural uses such as trails, botanical gardens, and woodland preserves. It would also set regulations limiting size, density, and location of houses and other buildings.
‘We’re going to take these comments and figure out the impacts parcel by parcel if necessary,? Lamont said, ‘and make sure we don’t negatively impact property owners.?
However, he said, residents must understand the commission still wants to protect land and natural resources highly valued in Springfield Township, and work toward producing an accurate zoning map.
‘If it’s wet and water, why is it zoned residential?? he said, citing, for example, Pebble Creek Condominium Association, where a large, mossy wetland area inhabited by ducks and other wildlife was not rezoned after homes were built.
In other areas, residential zoning designations extend over the shoreline and into the lake on a number of township properties.
On a zoning map, Lamont said, it would appear those areas still had room for development.
‘I think the intent was to call it what it was,? Lamont said. ‘That was the underlying reason behind rezoning discussions.?
But, he said, because of confusing legal jargon, rezoning frequently causes a great deal of questions and confusion within a community.
‘A lot of it is a misunderstanding,? he said. ‘Resource conservation, in particular has a use by right that it could be a park. I think people thought ‘well this is my property and other people could put a pathway through here.??
Not true, he said.
Springfield Township Clerk Nancy Strole concurred.
‘I learned in follow up conversations that there was a lot of misunderstanding,? said Strole, who attended the Aug. 2 public hearing. ‘Some people thought it meant the land would be made public, but that’s just not true. If the land is private, it’s private. If it’s public, it’s public. Rezoning doesn’t change (ownership).?
The planning commission meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 17 at the Springfield Township Civic Center, 12000 Davisburg Road.
Rrezoning documents are available at the civic center. Call 248-846-6510 or visit www.springfield-twp.us