Final decision will be made by township board June 14
BERLIN TWP. — The Berlin Township Planning Commission on Monday, June 7, voted 5-0 to deny a request to rezone a parcel of property on the east side of Capac Rd., south of Almont Rd. from multiple dwellings to B-1.
Property owner Chris Nanni had sought the zoning change to enable the construction of a new Dollar General store at the location.
The motion to deny the request was made by Mike Alberty and seconded by David Naeyaert; with commissioners Mark Wittstock, Fred Christian and Fran Reygaert voting in agreement.
Prior to Monday’s vote, planning commissioners voiced concerns about the proposed development’s location being directly adjacent to and across from residential properties.
Mark Wittstock, who serves as the Township Board’s representative on the planning commission, cited the proposed development’s deviation from the township’s master plan.
“It doesn’t fit into and is inconsistent with our master plan,” said Wittstock. “We already have an area designated for that type of development.”
He added that the proposed development could also be considered as “spot zoning.”
Spot zoning is a provision in a general plan that benefits a single parcel of land by creating a zone for use just for that parcel, which is different from the surrounding properties in the area.
Board to vote
The planning commission’s recommendation now goes before the Berlin Township Board for its determination on Monday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Berlin Township Hall on Capac Rd. in Allenton.
Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
