Slowly but surely the battle lines are being drawn in the potential fight over ‘big box? development in Independence Township.
In a statement released on March 23, Citizens for Orderly Growth announced the creation of a committee to research the possibility of forming a ‘legal defense fund for the big box/convention center.?
The idea for the legal defense fund stemmed from discussions during COG meetings where residents voiced a concern that ‘the developer can get what it wants by simply out spending us.?
The developer referred to is ORCO Investments Inc. in Troy. On March 15, the developer filed a rezoning request with the Independence Township Building Department to change approximately 70 acres of property located north of Waldon Road and west of Sashabaw Road, near the I-75 interchange, from R-1A single family residential to C-2 planned shopping center and C-3 highway commercial.
‘People talk quite a bit about this developer suing us,? said COG representative Neil Wallace. ‘A lot of people have expressed concern over this. The fear is that basically they can spend more money than Independence Township can. On the other hand, we’ve had tremendous community support and feel this is something that needs to be considered.?
According to the released statement, COG is currently researching the feasibility of using a one-time, small millage to raise a substantial legal fund for the township. According to the released statement: ‘Of course this means a tax ? that awful word. But our initial concept would be to have the entire community vote to decide.?
The statement also states that ‘a small one time tax would be substantially less expensive than the substantial economic impact of this development because of the demand for increased municipal services and the decline in our property values.?
Wallace stated that he contacted Independence Township Assessor Dave Kramer and learned that the average taxable value on homes in Clarkston is $138,000. With a one time .5 millage, that would equal to $69 per homeowner, or approximately $750,000 total.
‘We were talking about it and felt the negative impact on property values and the area would have a much greater impact than $69 per household,? said Wallace.
At this time, COG is uncertain whether or not such a millage can even be proposed, or whether township residents would be interested in the proposal.
‘We are interested in what people think,? said Wallace. ‘We are just beginning the research at this point.?
COG is asking for Independence Township residents to please voice their opinions and ideas at www.cogmi.org.
When contacted by this reporter on Monday, Dave Wagner had not yet heard of COG’s newest committee or their idea.
‘The township is always pleased to receive help from out citizens,? he stated upon hearing the news.
‘I’m very pleased to see the citizens of the community really get behind an issue,? continued Wagner, ‘especially one that’s so near and dear to everyone’s heart.?
As of Monday, ORCO Investments Inc. was not on any Planning Commission agendas.