02-11-2005, 03:31 AM
Group opposes sale to district
[url "http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/1editorialtablebody.lasso?-token.searchtype=authorroutine&-token.lpsearchstring=Kevin%20Elliott&-nothing"]Kevin Elliott[/url]![[Image: z.gif]](http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/images/z.gif)
February 09, 2005 - Dozens of Commerce Township and other area residents appeared before the Walled Lake Schools Board of Education on Thursday, Feb. 3 to voice objections to the district's attempt to purchase approximately 150 acres of state parkland from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for future school development.
The land is part of nearly 600 acres of state parkland making up the eastern portion of the Proud Lake Recreation Area, and is located near Commerce and Wise roads.
According to Walled Lake Schools Superintendent James Geisler, the district set aside $10 million to secure school sites after voter approval of a 2000 bond issue, which would be used to purchase some of the land.
A group of concerned residents began organizing last June to stop any development of the land. According to members of the Save Our Stateland Committee (SOS), the group has acquired over 3,000 signatures in opposition to development of the land.
Karin Shaleesh, SOS co-chair, addressed the school board last week and asked it to withdraw from attempts to purchase the property.
"The average acreage for an elementary school is 15 acres," Shaleesh said. "The district owns six pieces of property above the average size. This leaves us to conclude the district is in the business of land speculation."
Others also questioned why the district would spend money on school sites when there is money needed for school operations and equipment.
Geisler explained that the money used for land purchases is part of the 2000 bond issue, and under the law it must be used for property purchases, while millages are used for the district's operations.
Further, he said the district has no control over what the DNR does with the land, and that if it were sold, it would be better if it were to go to the school district rather than a commercial or residential developer.
While no concrete plans have been set for the land, the DNR may sell some or all of the property to purchase privately-owned parcels within some of the state's other parks, according to Mary Nardo of the DNR's Land Management Division.
"We are trying to hold on to and buffer what we have, that are of the most value," Nardo said. "We are really trying to fill in our inholdings, and right now we don't have money to do that. The only thing we can do is offer some for our outlying properties that aren't within the boundaries, in order to try to fill those in."
Nardo said the DNR often looks for other agencies to manage state land, but it may auction the land off as a last choice.
Members of the SOS Committee met with DNR, school district, county and Commerce Township officials in January to discuss options regarding the land.
While the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Department had previously expressed interest in managing the land, the DNR may now favor selling the land.
According to Commerce Township Supervisor Tom Zoner, who attended last months meeting, the township has also expressed interest in managing the land, but would probably not be able to purchase it.
Members of the SOS Committee argue that the DNR could rezone the land from its current residential zoning to parkland, which they claim would lower the selling price and make it affordable for the township to purchase with revenue from an open space millage. However, Zoner said that scenario is unlikely.
"Because of the meeting that took place and the discussion, if the township were to initiate a rezoning to lessen the value, we would be entering into a lawsuit that we could not defend," Zoner said.
According to State Sen. Nancy Cassis (R-Commerce, Milford, Highland, White Lake, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Wixom, Walled Lake and Wolverine Lake), the Legislature may express its opinion in the sale of state land, but the ultimate decision rests with the DNR.
She also said school development, of less than 150 acres, would probably have a less negative impact on the land than other development, and that her office will be sending a letter to the DNR requesting that large portions of the land not be sold off to residential or commercial developers.
"It could certainly be something under the jurisdiction of the DNR to make other decisions," Cassis said. "A school situation would be less problematic than putting in 300 to 400 homes, or a strip mall or commercial center. This area should be considered for preservation first."
Kevin Elliott is a staff writer for the Spinal Column Newsweekly
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[url "http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/1editorialtablebody.lasso?-token.searchtype=authorroutine&-token.lpsearchstring=Kevin%20Elliott&-nothing"]Kevin Elliott[/url]
February 09, 2005 - Dozens of Commerce Township and other area residents appeared before the Walled Lake Schools Board of Education on Thursday, Feb. 3 to voice objections to the district's attempt to purchase approximately 150 acres of state parkland from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for future school development.The land is part of nearly 600 acres of state parkland making up the eastern portion of the Proud Lake Recreation Area, and is located near Commerce and Wise roads.
According to Walled Lake Schools Superintendent James Geisler, the district set aside $10 million to secure school sites after voter approval of a 2000 bond issue, which would be used to purchase some of the land.
A group of concerned residents began organizing last June to stop any development of the land. According to members of the Save Our Stateland Committee (SOS), the group has acquired over 3,000 signatures in opposition to development of the land.
Karin Shaleesh, SOS co-chair, addressed the school board last week and asked it to withdraw from attempts to purchase the property.
"The average acreage for an elementary school is 15 acres," Shaleesh said. "The district owns six pieces of property above the average size. This leaves us to conclude the district is in the business of land speculation."
Others also questioned why the district would spend money on school sites when there is money needed for school operations and equipment.
Geisler explained that the money used for land purchases is part of the 2000 bond issue, and under the law it must be used for property purchases, while millages are used for the district's operations.
Further, he said the district has no control over what the DNR does with the land, and that if it were sold, it would be better if it were to go to the school district rather than a commercial or residential developer.
While no concrete plans have been set for the land, the DNR may sell some or all of the property to purchase privately-owned parcels within some of the state's other parks, according to Mary Nardo of the DNR's Land Management Division.
"We are trying to hold on to and buffer what we have, that are of the most value," Nardo said. "We are really trying to fill in our inholdings, and right now we don't have money to do that. The only thing we can do is offer some for our outlying properties that aren't within the boundaries, in order to try to fill those in."
Nardo said the DNR often looks for other agencies to manage state land, but it may auction the land off as a last choice.
Members of the SOS Committee met with DNR, school district, county and Commerce Township officials in January to discuss options regarding the land.
While the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Department had previously expressed interest in managing the land, the DNR may now favor selling the land.
According to Commerce Township Supervisor Tom Zoner, who attended last months meeting, the township has also expressed interest in managing the land, but would probably not be able to purchase it.
Members of the SOS Committee argue that the DNR could rezone the land from its current residential zoning to parkland, which they claim would lower the selling price and make it affordable for the township to purchase with revenue from an open space millage. However, Zoner said that scenario is unlikely.
"Because of the meeting that took place and the discussion, if the township were to initiate a rezoning to lessen the value, we would be entering into a lawsuit that we could not defend," Zoner said.
According to State Sen. Nancy Cassis (R-Commerce, Milford, Highland, White Lake, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Wixom, Walled Lake and Wolverine Lake), the Legislature may express its opinion in the sale of state land, but the ultimate decision rests with the DNR.
She also said school development, of less than 150 acres, would probably have a less negative impact on the land than other development, and that her office will be sending a letter to the DNR requesting that large portions of the land not be sold off to residential or commercial developers.
"It could certainly be something under the jurisdiction of the DNR to make other decisions," Cassis said. "A school situation would be less problematic than putting in 300 to 400 homes, or a strip mall or commercial center. This area should be considered for preservation first."
Kevin Elliott is a staff writer for the Spinal Column Newsweekly
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