Huron Valley News
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June/July 2000
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Features
Cleaner Air Coming to Detroit
Henry Ford Hospital to Close Incinerator
by Mary Beth Doyle
Selling Their Future Short?
Engler Panel Ignores Doctors' Advice
by Dave Dempsey
Recycling Land
Brownfield Redevelopment is a Balancing Act of Priorities
by Mike Tolinski
Dumbing Down the Children
Michigan, Other States Ignore Federal Lead Testing Law
by Peter Montague
Columns
Tiny Township Turns Down GM
Rural Milan Residents Reject Rail-Car Yard, by Aretta Schills
Diet, Health, and the Environment
An Interview with John Robbins, by Rachel Shaw
Healthy Home and Garden
Energy Star Products Save Cash and Power, by Kristi Jacques
Huron Valley News
Webster Township Holds Sprawl Forum, by Ernie Becker
Science for the People
Pesticides Linked to Decreased Fertility, by Mary Beth Doyle
Webster Township Holds Sprawl Forum
By Ernie Becker
On February 19, 2000 approximately 60 Washtenaw County residents, township, state, and county officials, gathered at the Webster Township hall to share their concerns, unique perspectives, and hopes for their community's future.
Spearheading the event was Cynthia Zuccaro, a Webster Township resident, who saw the need for farmers, residents, and township planners to meet and begin the process of discussing the development pressures that often put their goals at odds. Urban sprawl has intensified the property rights vs. land preservation conflict locally and nationally.
The forum was facilitated by Mike Score, agricultural agent of the Washtenaw County MSU Extension Service. A panel of seven speakers, including community leaders, planners, and farmers, identified rural land use issues and offered their perspectives on community level responses. After questions from the audience, participants met in five small groups to discuss the issues most important to them, as well as one assigned topic. A group leader then reported their suggestions for resolutions to the entire group.
Participants discussed the tension between property rights and land preservation, how townships can help each other, the future of farming in Washtenaw County, the additional cost of community services created by new developments, property taxes on farms, natural features advisory groups, and transfer of development rights.
Senator Dianne Byrum and Representative John Hansen both spoke about encouraging legislation that may reduce farmers' property tax burden.
The reaction to the forum was extremely positive. Participants went away with a greater understanding of the issues, as well as an enhanced knowledge of potential and existing programs for possible solutions.
Through the open sharing of ideas and concerns, participants learned that even though others have different perspectives, we all must work together to ensure that our townships develop in a responsible fashion that reflects all of our goals for the future.
It was mutually agreed that additional similar forums be offered to continue the momentum that was created. To receive a more detailed report of the topics discussed, as well as the group recommendations, contact Mike Score at (734) 997-1678. Ask for a copy of the Rural Neighborhood Forum summary.
Ernie Becker is a retired public school teacher, lives on 20 acres in Webster Township, 14 of which are a deeded easement to the Washtenaw-Potawatomi Land Trust.
Activists Slow Two Major Ann Arbor Developments
In December, the Ann Arbor Planning Commission unanimously rejected the controversial Autumn Ridge luxury condominium project, proposed for a scenic forest high above the Huron River in Ann Arbor. The Ecology Center opposed the project, supporting an active grassroots community opposition led by the Huron Valley Group of the Sierra Club and the Friends of the Bluffs. The Oakland County developer is now revising his proposal for re-submission soon.
The City of Ann Arbor is now negotiating to purchase the Mallett's Creek Forest, an ecologically valuable wetland and woodland area on the city's southeast side. The Ecology Center and other environmentalists have asked that the land be protected. The property was proposed as another condo site earlier in 1999, and was rejected by the City Council. The developer has sued the city over the denial, arguing that Ann Arbor's natural features ordinance is unconstitutional.
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