The residential dirt is now commercial dirt.
After ping-ponging between the planning commission and the township board for months, the zoning of a parcel at Baldwin and Maybee roads, where CVS is interested in building a new drugstore, squeaked through on a 4-3 vote at the board’s regular meeting June 1.
The board’s narrow approval heeded the planning commission’s recommendation. On May 6, the commission voted 5-1 in favor of the rezoning.
It is a reversal for both bodies. In December 2008, the planning commission recommended to deny the request, which was brought forth by CVS, who wants to pull up stakes at its current Baldwin and Waldon location to move down the road.
In February, the board approved the motion to deny the request, effectively sending the zoning issue back to the planning commission for further review.
Factors spurring debate among officials were the same then as they are currently: the master plan, the widening of Baldwin Road and the question of how nearby residential areas would be affected.
Township Clerk Penny Shults, who voted against the rezoning, was also worried about the vacancy created if the drugstore does relocate.
‘I’ve talked to a lot of people about this and I do feel removing that CVS from that location will have a negative impact on that area,? she said.
Trustee JoAnn Van Tassel also voted against the rezoning. She said she understands the desire to move ahead, but intimated that it would be better to wait until the master plan was finished.
‘I’m really torn on this one,? said Trustee Mark Crane. ‘I continue to have concerns with respect to the residents to the east.?
Crane also voted against it.
Township Supervisor Matt Gibb, Treasurer Alice Young, Trustees Neal Porter and John Steimel provided the four votes to pass the motion.
‘The master plan isn’t adopted yet, but we know what we’re going to propose in that area,? said John Steimel, who is the board’s representative on the planning commission.
According to Gibb, the planning commission investigated at length everything the board had problems with back in February. Now, with a more focused conception of land use and the widening of Baldwin Road becoming a reality, Gibb hinted there was no reason not to press on with the zoning.
‘We basically said before, ‘Planning commission, we don’t like your recommendation,?? Gibb said. ‘I really don’t want to stand by and see this board create reasons to placate a situation the planning commission has taken ample time to investigate and not move forward with that.?
Representatives from CVS were present, but there wasn’t occasion for them to address the board.
While residents from the area turned out to voice their opinion in Feburary, none were in the audience at Monday’s meeting.
With the land rezoned, CVS will still have to come to the board with site plans that will need to be approved.