Should Road Commission make Decision on Gravel Truck Route?

An amendment authorizing county road commissions to make the decision on border roads that are in dispute between townships passed both the Michigan House and the Senate.  Rep. Bob Jones (Dist. 60) voted against the amendment.

Additional information on this situation relating to the 'G' Ave. gravel pit comes from Libby Heiny-Cogswell, Supervisor, Oshtemo Township.  She tells us that Rep. Bob Jones,  in evaluating the situation regarding an aceptable transit route for trucks leaving the Aggregate Industries 'G' Avenue gravel pit in Alamo Township, suggested that the parties team with the Kalamazoo Cahmber and go to Lansing to push for MDOT to construct a temporary on-ramp to US 131  from 'G' Ave.

Further, Heiny-Cogswell notes that the passage of HB 4839 erodes township local control by letting the county road commission make decisions when routes are disputed on boundary roads between two townships.  She sat on the Planning Commission ten years ago when land use options were considered for the northeast corner of 10th Street and M-43.  There were months of meetings and discussions with the public to discuss what would be appropriate zoning for development in that area.  There was give and take at the time between the Planning Commission and residents, which hasn't happened with this current dispute.  She believes that if the issue of the gravel pit route goes to the Kalamazoo Road it will get fair consideration.  But the threat to decades of local decision making is disconcerting. 

It is noted that Aggregate Industries has filed a lawsuit against Oshtemo Township regarding their action to prohibit trucks from using 10th Street.  A previous lawsuit files against Alamo Township led the Alamo Township Board to overturn a denial by the Zoning Board to allow the gravel pit.

The text of HB 4839 (2007) as passed by the Michigan HOuse and Senate can be found at the following link.  The amendment regarding the road commission is Sec. 726 (B):

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billenrolled/House/htm/2007-HNB-4839.htm