{"id":18735,"date":"2023-03-09T20:57:52","date_gmt":"2023-03-10T01:57:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/?p=18735"},"modified":"2023-03-09T20:57:52","modified_gmt":"2023-03-10T01:57:52","slug":"features-261","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=18735","title":{"rendered":"Features"},"content":{"rendered":"

Farmland threatened in Eagle Township<\/strong>
\nby Jean Martin<\/p>\n

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Down in the south end of Clinton County and along either side of M-100 as it comes out of Grand Ledge sits some prime Michigan farmland just south of Grand River Highway.There residents of Eagle Township are up in arms over plans by Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), to move forward with the development of the Michigan Manufacturing Innovation Campus<\/font><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Back in 2005 well-known local farmer Dave Morris donated 1,400 acres to Michigan State University, and the agreement required that the university maintain the crop lease for 25 years. The land is currently listed as agricultural land by the Clinton County Zoning<\/font><\/a> Ordinance, and it is farmed by Clark Farms. MSU deputy spokesperson Dan Olsen says he cannot comment on or identify potential buyers at this time or verify if MSU will even sell the land at all.
\nBesides losing farmland residents have concerns about infrastructure upgrades, water quality and general quality of life should large manufacturing move into the area. That’s why many residents attended an open house a week ago at Eagle Township Park to discuss their concerns with developers.<\/p>\n

“I attended the Eagle Township Mega Site ‘informational’ open house,” says Marti Howe who grew up on the family farm on State Road. “The information consisted of placards arranged around the hall. There was no presentation and no opportunity for Q & A.”<\/p>\n

Instead residents were asked to fill out a survey. See the survey here<\/font><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dana Burghdoff who grew up there and now works as a city planner in Fort Worth says, “The survey is clearly trying to get people to identify mitigation measures for when (not if) the mega site develops. None of people’s preferences for housing types, recreation, transportation improvements, and retail options should be driven by IF a major development occurs.”<\/p>\n

“Ultimately, as I understand it, the zoning will be decided at the county level. Clinton County needs to know what is happening,” concludes Marti’s sister Marguerite Howe.<\/p>\n

For more information on this issue see
\n– MSU’s State News story<\/font><\/a>
\n– Stop the Mega Site, Eagle MI<\/font><\/a> on Facebook.
\n– Eagle Township Comprehensive Plan<\/font><\/a><\/p>\n

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Lions serve at Culvers fundraiser<\/strong><\/p>\n

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It was Dean Hartenburg and crew at your service at Culvers in Dewitt on Monday night. Dean is currently president of the St. Johns Lions club. Proceeds from the fundraiser help to support local community projects.<\/p>\n

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Remember When<\/strong> – More photos from the Jilka family album<\/p>\n