Manchester Township continues to explore its identity

Photo courtesy Manchester Township website.

submitted by Sybil Kolon

The fourth township identity meeting was held on January 8. Several members of the Township Board and Planning Commission were present as well as about a dozen members of the public.

The township continues to solicit input on future growth over the next several decades. There was discussion regarding the potential for designating corridors along Austin Road, M-52, and US-12 for commercial development. There was discussion regarding the need to allow the Land Preservation Committee (LPC) to recommend areas of the township for preservation of agriculture and natural resources before any decisions are made.

A letter received by the LPC expressed concern at the idea of commercial development along US-12 and M-52. It was pointed out that these corridors also reflect our rural character and that such development would negatively impact the township’s rural character. It was specifically noted that when M-52 was designated as a limited access highway in the early 1960s, it was with the understanding that future development should not negatively impact farming in the township.

Marty Way, who serves on the Manchester City Council, indicated that any cuts into the right-of-way of M-52 would need to be granted by the state and that the cost could be as high as $800,000 to build the necessary infrastructure, such as creating turn lanes.

The need for affordable housing and parks was brought up. The two-acre minimum lot size was discussed. There was a brief review of the regulation of land splits, which limits how many splits can be made over time. More intense development with multiple lots would have to go through a subdivision process.

Land divisions generally happen slowly and it was recognized that can negatively impact rural character. Changes in zoning could address this concern, as well as progress toward preserving farmland and natural areas. Targeting growth near the city, where municipal services could be provided, was also discussed as one way to point growth away from rural areas. Agreements between the city, township, and developers can be used to manage how such growth areas are administered.

It was agreed that another township identity meeting should be scheduled, and that a speaker from the Farm Bureau who specializes in farmland preservation could help guide the discussion.

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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.