Eagle Township sets process for planning commission that would oversee megasite

Correction: Cady Ness-Smith addressed Eagle Township officials at a Thursday, May 19, meeting. Her name was misspelled in an earlier version of this story.

EAGLE TWP. — Township officials outlined a process Thursday to find members for a new planning commission that would help determine the fate of a potential megasite that might draw a large-scale company to their community.

Residents strongly opposed to the megasite that would replace farmland have called for the planning commission.

The township board also voted to have consultant firm Giffels Webster finish work on a contract to survey and study land use related to the potential megasite property, around 1,900 acres north of Grand Ledge.

Residents yelled at Supervisor Patti Schafer, saying that she was betraying their trust by bringing the firm back after the contract had been tabled earlier this year.

Schafer said the township had never before signed and paid for a contract without getting the results.

Still, much of the meeting was about structuring the planning commission, which could start around July following a waiting period.

George Bedard, an Eagle Township resident, said he has started a tax exempt group, Save Rural America, to help oppose the megasite.

"Our goal is to fight this mega project," he said.

Cady Ness-Smith, a resident, said people who have worked in construction, economic development or other fields related to the megasite should be excluded from the planning commission in favor of people who have vocally opposed the site.

"Those who voiced interest in protecting farmland should be considered," she said.

Schafer said the process wouldn't exclude anyone and everyone is welcome to apply for the planning commission seats. The township will be taking out newspaper ads and soliciting nominations through mail, email and the township's website with a June 9 deadline for applications.

The supervisor will review the applications first and share the applications with other board members before the full board goes to approve members.

Schafer said she plans to have other planning commissioners from other communities, former township board members and others assist her in the initial review of applications.

The planning commission is open to mostly Eagle Township residents but one of the five slots can be a business owner or other non-resident.

Prospective planning commission members could go through potentially public interviews before being nominated, Schafer said.

Michelle Simon, a township resident, spoke in opposition to the megasite as did her two sons, in fifth and ninth grades.

"We are opposed, I am pro-farm because without farms there is no food," Simon said. She asked that other board members have a greater voice in the initial selection of planning commission members.

Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Eagle Township sets guidelines for incoming planning commission