VBT planners to consider marijuana dispensary ordinance

The job of looking into a proposed ordinance on marijuana dispensaries has been turned over to an ordinance committee at the Van Buren Township Planning Commission.
The item was put on the agenda of the planning commission’s regular meeting on April 22 by VBT Developmental Director Jack Knowles.
He said the township board had put a six-month moratorium on marijuana businesses in the township until the issue could be studied and an ordinance proposed.
He said the township has to decide where such zoning uses are appropriate. He said communities across the state are handling it in different ways.
Knowles said the township attorney suggested a committee at the board level, but this is a land use problem.
He said the commission has a zoning ordinance committee working with consultant Patrick Sloane to update the zoning ordinance and they could suggest the committee divert their attention for a while to work on the marijuana issue.
He said the committee’s use was suggested by VBT Treasurer Sharry Budd, a voting member of the planning commission.
“We do think this is a pressing issue,” Treasurer Budd said, adding, “There was a moratorium in the past and nothing happened.”
Members of the zoning ordinance committee are Byron Kelley, Donald Boynton, and Joan Franzoi.
Commissioner Robert McKenna said there is a zoning ordinance on private clubs.
Knowles said those are allowed in C-1 and Industrial zonings.
“But, is it really a club? A clinic?” Knowles asked. “Canton recently shut down two medical clinics that had no medical licenses.”
Commission chairwoman Carol Thompson said her understanding is that within six months they need to come up with a written ordinance.
Knowles said the police and fire departments indicated they wanted input.
In other business at the April 22 meeting, the commission:
• Held a public hearing on the request of Ashley Capital for special land use approval for a 593,776 square foot distribution center at 42000 Ecorse Road, on the north side of Ecorse Road between Haggerty road to the east and Morton Taylor Road to the west. Sue Farr, a neighbor to the project, said Ashley Capital got an agricultural permit two years ago and cut down trees. Then they planted corn and let it rot in the field. She said Baskin Robbins, Dunkin’ Donuts, and others called to start talks on buying their property, but then they called back and said McKenna Associates, the township’s planning consultants, were going to change the zoning from Commercial to Industrial and they were no longer interested. She said truck docks will be 80’ from their property. Tim Sterling said he moved in 10 years ago and did not know this was going to happen. “It could be good for the township, but we suffer,” Sterling said. A decision on the request will be made at a future commission meeting;
• Held a public hearing for TNT Fireworks which wants temporary land use for selling fireworks beyond the allowable seven days. They want to sell from June 25 to July 5 in the Walmart parking lot. No one objected and a decision will be made at a future meeting;
• Voted to recommend to the township board rezoning of 51257 W. Huron River Drive, next to Rite Aid, from C (Local Business) to R-1A (Single Family Residential). David Woodard said when he bought the home he thought it was residential zoning;
• Approved temporary land use permits for USA Fireworks for sales of fireworks beyond the seven days allowed, from June 16 to July 7, at two locations: Belleville Square Shopping Center, 10864 Belleville Road, and the parking lot of Faith United Methodist Church, 6020 Denton Road, just south of Michigan Avenue;
• Approved the final site plan for Sadek Properties to have a drive-through restaurant for Dunkin’ Donuts on the northwest corner of Belleville Road and North I-94 Service Drive. The car wash and Quizno’s are being removed.