MONTAGUE — The White River Township board unanimously approved four
zoning ordinance amendments Tuesday night that, in tandem, will
establish a new Renewable Energy Overlay District largely comprising
Chemours property.
The meeting took place at NBC Middle School
to accommodate expected crowds. Supervisor Ron Bailey said next month's
meeting will return to the township hall.
In addition to
the new district, the amendments establish regulations for utility-scale
solar energy systems, wind energy systems and utility-scale battery
energy storage systems.
Bailey said during board discussion
prior to the official vote that he's received a lot of correspondence
from residents over the last month, since the amendments were proposed,
and there has been "overwhelming support." He added, as did several
residents during the public comment periods, that the state law that
will go into effect in November and give the state siting control over
renewable energy has a provision that brownfields - such as the Chemours
site - should be considered for renewable energy facilities first.
Bailey
also said he's been in contact with Chemours personnel, who are in
favor of the amendments as it would provide a use for the site.
Many
public comments supported the board's decision before and after it was
made. Resident Lori Sheehan said when Lakeside Solar's project was first
announced in late 2022, she and many others looked at renewable energy
in the township as "an either/or," but considers this zoning amendment a
"both/and" situation for the township.
"Industrial solar belongs on industrial land," Sheehan said.
Clerk
Patti Sargent concurred, saying during board discussion that the
Chemours property is the perfect place for renewable energy.
Montague
resident Margot Haynes expressed concerns about the overlay, believing
the decision to place one on Chemours land merely "avoids hard
decisions" and could potentially invite a revival of the lawsuit
Lakeside Solar filed against the township in 2023, which was dismissed
this year without prejudice. She said she would like the overlay to work
out for all parties but is skeptical that it will.
While the
ordinance was the main topic addressed Tuesday, the board also fielded
several comments about the state of Lau Road. Elizabeth Riggle wrote a
letter drafted by her mother Betty, who is 97 and walks daily in the
area but suffered several injuries after a fall on Lau Road. She and
several other commenters said they believe the condition of Lau Road
needs to be of high priority to the township, with one adding that
perhaps the township could partner with the city of Montague to repair
the road. No board action was taken on the topic.
Two other
potential zoning ordinances were discussed during the meeting - a
short-term rental ordinance and an off-road vehicle ordinance. Bailey
said after consultation with township attorney Cliff Bloom, both issues
will go back to the planning commission, which needs to happen due to
them being zoning issues. Bailey said the commission will work with
Muskegon County Road Commission managing director Ken Hulka on which
roads may be limited for ORV use for safety reasons. An ORV ordinance
should be ready for board approval for next month's meeting.
The
West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission has also been
in contact with the township, as it is assessing the county and other
surrounding areas that were affected by the June storms that knocked
down many area trees. The commission is seeking grant funds that would
help replant trees in areas where they're deemed to be needed.
