Summer 2003

ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER

LAND PRESERVATION MILLAGE PROPOSAL

After more than two years of study, the Township Farming and Farmland Protection Committee asked the Township Board in August to place a millage proposal on the ballot this November 4. The Township Board agreed to place the measure before voters. The proposal reads in part:

Proposal to provide funding for the purchase of development rights for the permanent preservation of farmland and open space throughout the township: Shall the authorized charter millage for ad valorem taxes for the Charter Township of Ann Arbor be increased by 0.7 mills ($.70 per $1000 of taxable value) for the Township's fiscal years 2004 through 2023, inclusive, for purposes of funding the purchase of development rights for the permanent preservation of farmland and open space throughout the Township, to be levied upon taxable real and tangible personal property within the Township, which levy will raise in the first year an estimated $278,083, which together with the Township's existing levies, will result in a total authorized charter millage established at 3.50 mills.

Purchase of development rights (PDR) is a voluntary program in which a landowner sells the development rights of their property. The value of the development rights is established by an appraisal and is the difference between the value of the land as fully developed and as agricultural land. Once an agreement is made between the township and the landowner, a permanent deed restriction is placed on the property that restricts the type of activities that can take place on the land in perpetuity, ensuring that the land will remain agricultural or open space forever. The landowner retains ownership of the parcel and can sell the property at any time. The procedure used in selection of parcels is defined in the recently approved Township PDR Ordinance (See related article).

More than $5.7 M would be raised over 20 years for a local fund to offer eligible landowners a voluntary option rather than developing farmland and open spaces. The program would also make our Township farmland eligible for state and federal PDR matching funds. Coupled with those funds and other local public and private funds, the Farmland Protection Committee estimates that two-thirds of the farmland in Ann Arbor Township could be protected.

PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (PDR) ORDINANCE ADOPTED

The Township Board has approved a PDR Ordinance developed by the Township Farming and Farmland Protection Committee. State law requires establishment of a PDR Ordinance by all townships in order to qualify for state PDR funds. This Ordinance defines the procedures that would be used to select properties for participation in a township PDR program if funds are available. It defines the areas eligible for consideration as those lands shown in the Township General Development Plan designated for Agricultural Use or Rural Residential Use (less than 0.2 dwelling units per acre). It establishes a ranking system for land voluntarily offered by landowners using criteria such as the characteristics of the farmland, landowner stewardship, likelihood of conversion to non-farm uses, planning and financial considerations. The ranking will be done by a seven-member Farmland and Open Space Preservation Board appointed by the Township Board. The Preservation Board's recommendations will be forwarded to the Township Board of Trustees for final decision.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Whitmore Lake LLC: The Township Planning Commission has recommended disapproval for a proposal to rezone 160 acres at the southeast corner of Whitmore Lake and Warren Road to Residential 3 (R3) (allowing 4 units per acre) from Agricultural 1 and Residential 2. After a Public Hearing and other input from residents, the petitioner and township consultants, the Township Planning Commission found that the proposal is not consistent with the Township General Development Plan, that it would establish a negative precedent for the northeast area of the township and that water and sewer service were inadequate.

Domino's Farm Expansion: The Township Planning Commission recently approved the preliminary site plan for a 220,000 square foot expansion of the Domino's Farm Office Complex. The proposed office use and plan was consistent with the Township General Development Plan. The Planning Commission worked with Domino's Farms to ensure substantial improvements in the storm water management system and also required Washtenaw County Road Commission approval of a plan to improve traffic flow at the busy intersection of Plymouth Road and New Earhart Drive. When completed in December 2004, the complex will have nearly one million square feet of Class A office space.

Toyota Technical Center Expansion: The Final Site Plan for a 28,000 square foot addition to the Toyota Technical Center has been approved by the Planning Commission for the automaker's new design center. Substantial improvements in the storm water management system and more than 300 tree and shrub plantings were required by the Planning Commission.

Washtenaw County Community College: An addition to the WCC campus was approved by the township to accommodate new training facilities used for a training program that brings millions of dollars annually to our area.

FARMLAND PRESERVATION GOES REGIONAL

For the past six months, a busy Township Farming and Farmland Preservation Committee has been working to establish a regional farmland protection effort. The Washtenaw County Farmland Conservation Group was formed with farmers and government leaders from the Townships of Ann Arbor, Salem, Superior, Northfield, Webster, Scio, Dexter, Freedom and Pittsfield.

Our township committee, the WFCG and the County Farm Bureau co-hosted a farmland protection workshop earlier this year, attracting more than 210 government leaders, farmers and citizens. Speakers such as Senator Liz Brater and Representatives Gene DeRossett and Ruth Ann Jamnick reviewed Governor Granholm's Bipartisan Land Use Council proposals and other state and local initiatives. Also detailed was a new federal program for farmland protection that requires local matching funds. Presentations on county and surrounding township efforts indicated significant regional support for farming and farmland protection. For additional information or if you would like to be involved in the WFCG please contact Trustee John Allison.

In related news, the Township Board recently approved another Township Farming Committee proposal for Farmland Drain Tile Ordinances. The purpose is to ensure protection of existing tiles, which are necessary for draining farm fields, when new construction occurs.

ROAD PROJECTS

A rehabilitated Foster Bridge is expected to reopen this fall. This unique and historical single-lane bridge crosses the Huron River at Maple Road. The upgraded bridge will accommodate a heavier load limit allowing use by school buses, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. The project includes rehabilitation of the structural steel, new decking, painting in a historically accurate color and stream bank stabilization. Ann Arbor Township provided funds for preliminary engineering. Barton Village and the County Road Commission funded the construction. Volunteers are being sought to help landscape the approaches to the bridge.

The County Road Commission expects construction on a major new bridge on Dixboro to start next year. With federal and state funds secured, the Road Commission is putting final touches on plans for a new four-lane bridge over the Huron River and railroad tracks at Dixboro Road. The $9 million project includes construction of a five-land road approach and rebuilding of the intersections at Geddes and Dixboro and Huron River Drive and Dixboro. With the proposed elevation, the existing train crossing will be eliminated. The bridge will have a pedestrian and bicycle walk. Construction is scheduled for about one year, with anticipated completion in June 2005. Dixboro Road traffic will continue during most of the construction.

The County Road Commission is resurfacing Whitmore Lake Road between Warren and Five Mile Road. Paved shoulders will be added to create a safe bicycle route along this road. Work is expected to be completed in November.

SUPERVISOR'S REPORT by Michael Moran

As you can see from information in this newsletter, our Township continues to grow, and the businesses that call Ann Arbor Township home continue to invest in expanding their presence and facilities here. The University of Michigan and Washtenaw Community College now keep us informed of their plans for future development and are both working with us to realize their visions.

We are leaders in the beginning phases of a regional planning effort with nearby governments. Our focus is on those goals we can better realize by working together.

The Township has new office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., which were adopted to better mesh with the hours when our residents and those working for them request our services.

We have passed new telecommunications provisions that require that "no tree trimming or tree work shall be done in the Public Right-of-Way without previously informing the Township Supervisor, the Township Building Inspector and affected land owners in writing not less than 20 days before the trimming work, except in an emergency, in which case notice shall be given as soon as possible. The Township has the right to request that Permittee remove and replace with a comparable tree, at Permittee's sole expense, trees which were significantly damaged by necessary work of trimming, or provide restitution if a comparable tree is not available. Permittee shall dispose of all trimmed materials. If you suffer violations of these provisions, please contact Gary Dresselhouse at the township office.

We came though the recent blackout without significant problems. I have asked our Utilities Supervisor, Sheriff's Lieutenant, and Fire Chief to report to me regarding problems that they faced and their suggestions for better coping with similar problems in the future.

I look forward to continuing to work with our residents, our Township Board and other Township Committees to plan for our future and address any problems that arise.

MEET YOUR TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS

Meet Gene Ragland, the newest Township Board Trustee, and Rena Basch and Dick Mitchell, the newest members of the Township Planning Commission:

Gene Ragland joined the Board when Mike Moran resigned as Trustee to accept the position of Township Supervisor following Libby Langford's retirement. He has lived in the township for 25 years and first came to the area to attend U-M Medical School. After serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Medical Corp, he returned to Ann Arbor and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. During his 25 years in emergency medicine at St. Joseph, he served in many leadership positions both at the hospital and in the greater medical community. Since his retirement in 2001, he has devoted his energies to community service including board appointments at Dawn Farm, Ecology Center, Safe House and SecureCare, a provider of medical services to correctional facilities. He and his wife Marge have two sons.

Rena Basch, Ph.D. works as Senior Technical Specialist and Team Leader in Research and Advanced Engineering at Ford Motor Company. Part of a family with a tradition of community service, Rena's extensive volunteer work includes student mentoring and the Township Police Protection Committee. Her work on the Planning Commission stems from a strong personal commitment to protecting the environment. Rena and her husband Jeff have lived in the Township since 1999 and have two young children.

Dick Mitchell is president of Mitchell and Mouat Architects, a ten-person firm that designed several familiar buildings in Ann Arbor including the Washtenaw County Government Services Building in downtown Ann Arbor, The Roberto Clemente School on Textile and additions to the First United Methodist Church on State Street. He has served on the boards of various architectural organizations as well as the Historic District Commission in Traverse City prior to moving here. He and his wife Kate Mitchell have lived on the west side of Ann Arbor Township for 12 years and have four children.

GABRIEL RICHARD HIGH SCHOOL WELCOMED TO OUR TOWNSHIP

Ann Arbor Township welcomes Gabriel Richard High School and some 380 students to our township. The new 92,000 square foot building offers modern facilities situated on 43 acres and is near Domino's Farm. The site plan includes an athletic field, contemplative nature trails and state of the art storm water management facilities. The Township has approved zoning for the high school for a second building phase, which would provide for a total combined capacity of 700 students.

OTHER NEWS

A number of Township residents have reported phone calls from pollsters about the millage proposal. Some were told that this polling was sponsored by the Township. Such phone surveys are very expensive and the Township is NOT involved in any such activity.

The newsletter is sent to REGISTERED VOTERS of the Township. If you reside or pay taxes in the township and would like to be added to our mailing list, please email the editor at delladipietro@yahoo.com