Sumpter board denies private family cemetery on Karr Rd.

The Sumpter Township Board of Trustees voted unanimously to deny a request for a special land use for a private, family cemetery at 21232 Karr Rd.
The board followed the recommendation from the planning commission who asked the board to deny the request.
The planning commission had held a public hearing on the request at its May 9 meeting.
Planner J. Pezzotti explained the request for a single-family residence on a 60-acre parcel zoned Agricultural. He explained the proposed private cemetery, the use that involved handling of human remains, in addition to the township becoming liable for upkeep and maintenance should the applicant abandon the site. A caretaker building was a part of the request.
Ten people spoke against the proposal at the commission hearing. The person who made the request was not present for the public hearing. A bare quorum of commissioners was present, with Watson, Oddy and Armstrong absent.
The commission members discussed the proposal and Richard Pokerwinski stated it is a ridiculous idea, he is against this and finds it suspicious, and the property has been vacant a long time. It was explained it is only for the family with 1-12 graves, with just the dad right now.
In other action at the 35-minute meeting on May 28, the township board:
• Approved the recommendation from the planning commission to approve a burn permit that needs an application to the fire department. Cost is $25 for three days for residential; $25 a day for special event, and $100 yearly for commercial. If the fire spreads, the applicant will assume all costs of suppression of the fire with a minimum of $600;
• Approved the recommendations from the planning commission to change the ordinance to allow “mother-in-law” houses to be built as accessory buildings and may be less than 1,200 square feet in size. It would be for family member only;
• Approved paying $750 for Bill Kenyon and the Maxwell Leadership Team to put on a Leadership Discovery Session for staff;
• Approved the stormwater drain extension maintenance agreement with Carleton Farms Landfill subject to the attorney’s final approval;
• Heard Mary Ban say the front doors of the community center need to be replaced or fixed because those with walkers or canes find it difficult to enter the building. She asked if ARPA funds could be used for this. She said she has asked for this three years in a row. “Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t,” she said of the doors. Treasurer Bart Patterson said it is on the top of their list and they are working on it;
• Heard Supervisor Tim Bowman say he had a proposal from architect Wayde Hoppe for changes to his office and the clerk’s office. He wanted board members to study it so they could act on it at the next meeting;
• Heard Trustee Matthew Oddy note that there was no workshop session again at this meeting and if the board is going to do away with the workshops the board should officially change the procedure by voting on it. He said he prefers having the workshop and residents have been counting on having a workshop when they come to the meetings;
• Heard Township Manager Anthony Burdick, who used to give reports on township business during the workshops, say he has prepared a report for them, which he put at their places on the board table and he will continue to do that if there are no longer workshops for his oral reports; and
• Heard Trustee Tim Rush remind everyone that the Council of Western Wayne will be meeting at Sumpter Township Hall at 9:30 a.m., June 14, with representatives from 17 other communities to be present. He invited everyone interested to attend.