Freedom Township votes to rezone protected farmland from Agricultural to Industrial

Google Maps version of the general area involving the Freedom Township rezoning from August 9 Board meeting.

The Freedom Township Planning Commission held a Public Hearing on August 4, 2022 for a rezoning application from Horning Farms. There was initially limited discussion and only a few questions. Following the regular Planning Commission meeting, however, there was considerable discussion about the request to rezone the property so that it could be sold to Consumers Energy. This 18.037 acres is owned by Horning Farms but has been leased to Consumers Energy for several years to support the construction and upgrade projects at the Freedom Compressor Station, located at 11201 East Pleasant Lake Road in Freedom Township.

Discussions of this proposed rezoning and land sale have occurred for months. Concerns were raised about what Consumers plans to do with the land; would there be a negative environmental impact; and are water protections in place for the wetlands and Mill Creek headwater tributary? Support was also given for the rezoning: Post-construction, the 18 acres are no longer farmable land; in addition, reclassification to Industrial would add tax revenue to the township. The request to recommend the rezoning to the Township Board was approved by a vote of four to one.

Five days later, the Horning rezoning request was on the Freedom Township Board agenda. Board members had received a communication from the Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC), suggesting the Board delay a decision until implications of the proposed rezoning are fully considered, including water quality protections for the Mill Creek headwater tributary.

Several residents called for further evaluation of the long-term impact of this sale. Resident comments included — We don’t have a problem with Hornings selling the land, but we have no idea what Consumers plans to do with it or if they plan to resell the land. What water protections are in place, given that area is next to the Mill Creek headwater tributary? Can you pause this decision and work with HRWC and other groups to evaluate risks and put in place proper setbacks?

There was considerable debate among the audience about the decision to remove farmland in PA 116 protection and move it to an Industrial classification. Board members explained that the 18 acres is no longer farmable land; the rezoning would be consistent with the Master Plan which allows some Industrial expansion; they prefer to consolidate Industrial sites in the township to the current two existing areas vs. having new businesses come in and take up other agricultural land. They also noted that a large portion of the 18 acres is already wetlands and wooded area and that a setback increase would impact the entire township, not just the Consumers’ site. Some also noted there are already risks to our waterways with the seven pipelines in Freedom Township, not to mention state approval of gravel mining to a depth over 90 feet.

The Board voted unanimously to approve the rezoning. The decision will next be published in a local publication, and written comments can be submitted to the township within five days prior to the rezoning decision being finalized.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.