To the Editor,
I really wish whoever is sending these anonymous letters claiming to be
Supporters of the Ann Arbor Properties Project would let it be known who
they are so I could ask them some questions.
Their latest letter says " the special use permit will not allow Ann
Arbor Properties to put something other than what they have applied for in
the proposed facility."
If that is true, why does page 135 of the Michigan Guide to Planning and
Zoning state "regardless of what the applicant may state as the 'intended'
use for the property, a rezoning permits all of the uses allowed within that
district. When evaluating a rezoning, the township must consider each and
every use the new district might permit and be prepared to accept any of
them for the property under consideration."
On Page 136 it says ""the property can be used for any use permitted in
the new district, regardless of any promises made by the applicant." And it
further says "Even if the specific use the applicant intends to develop
would be compatible with its surroundings, the rezoning is probably not a
good idea if all of the permitted uses in the proposed district would not be
compatible."
So to Mr or Mrs Anonymous, do you think ALL the things allowed in an
Industrial district would be compatible with the surrounding residential and
agricultural properties?
The Guide goes on to say on page 117 that "Special land uses are
generally compatible with the permitted uses, but have unique
characteristics that could possibly create problems, conflict with existing
uses, or become a nuisance if located at an inappropriate site or without
proper controls or limitations."
Wouldn't hundreds of semi trucks a day entering the proposed facility
qualify under "possibly create problems"?
Doesn't excessive trains, trucks, cars and hundred of acres of asphalt and
lights fit under "conflict with existing uses"?
Don't you think the neighbors will consider this whole facility as a
"nuisance"
because it is situated in an inappropriate site area next to residential ?
Don't you think allowing 75.4 decibels just might come under "without proper
controls of limitations"?
There is a petition being circulated in Milan Township for all, whether
pro or con, to have a say in this decision that will affect all our lives
for a long time. The petition is not for or against the railroad project
but rather a neutral petition seeking only to bring the rezoning issue to a
vote of the people. We should be thankful to live in a country where the
right to vote still exists and we should be exercising that freedom.
Aretta Schils