Independence Township Board voted to approve a plan to annex property along Dixie Highway, Nov. 12
The transfer of the property is through an intergovernmental agreement between Independence and Springfield townships.
The property is split between the townships by 1-75. The only access to the Springfield Township portion of the property was through Independence.
Springfield Township also could not provide sewer and water services to the property, but Independence Township has the infrastructure available to provide those services.
‘This comes at no cost to the township,? said Independence Township Supervisor Pat Kittle.
The agreement would take effect 30 days after it is signed with Springfield Township. The property can be transferred back to Springfield Township if either Independence or Springfield Township decides to cancel it, Kittle said.
Norman Froeschke, a resident in the Deer Lake Farms subdivision close to the property, spoke during the public hearing, asking who would pay for the roads when the property is developed.
‘I just paid $7,400 to fix the roads,? said Froeschke. ‘With those roads, we could not make it a private even after the subdivision showed proof that over 70 percent of traffic in the subdivision is not from Deer Lake farms residents.?
Froeschke noted there are 150 homes in Deer Lake Farms and if the property is developed to include an additional 72 homes, more drivers would contribute to wear and tear of the roads.
‘Our roads that we paid for we want to have last for a very long time,? said Froeschke.
‘So I think when this process is going forward the neighborhood should be very involved over what’s going on.?
Froeschke also requested the township keep an open line of communication with Deer Lake farms homeowners regarding development of the property.
Independence Township will approve the zoning once the property is officially transferred.
Independence Township’s planning firm Carlisle Wortman recommended the property be zoned residential, a change Independence Township Board of Trustees and the planning commission would have to approve.
Presently the zoning status of the property is undetermined due to legal issues with the property.