Comments for Citizens for Public Accountability and Responsible Development (CPARD)

Comment on From the 10/23 Northville Record… by Trackbackspeed

Trackbackspeed — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:51:07 +0000

Aah this is why I read your blog

Comment on The Township Meeting with REIS Regarding the Trees and Contamination by let the public speak

let the public speak — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:02:50 +0000

CPARD, people are saying that REIS gave the twp. 100 heavily wooded beautiful acres with plenty of trees left on it. So what if they cut down the trees. Any comment to that?

Comment on Tree Cutting on the Hospital Property by let the public speak

let the public speak — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:36:39 +0000

Lisa, You bring up a valid point. The property could be more valuable for residential use with the trees left on it. Unfortunatly the consent agreement allows the dveloper to plot 50′ lots, this does not leave any room for trees , as would 100′ to 120′ lots which are more in keeping with the rural atmosphere of Northville Township. Planning a development around the 400 year old trees ,could actually be a positive tourist or shopper incentive to visit the complex. The trees that are being removed have a high commercial value and are not being removed simply to clear the property for development. This brings up another point. Why are the taxpayers subsidizing the cleanup, while the developer is making money on timber and oil revenue? Why are’nt these income sources being used to clean up their own property vs. going into the developer’s bank account?

Comment on Cutting Appears to Have Resumed? by let the public speak

let the public speak — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:57:12 +0000

Reis placed a value on the PRIME acerage for this parcel at $130,000 /acre. This is stated in public records with the State of Michigan. I would assume this is acerage along 7 mile or Haggerty, not behind Hawthorn Center, where the old growth woodlot is located. Assume $100,000 / acre same as property for sale down on 8 mile Rd. So 10 acre woodlot worth $ 1 million. Brownfield vaue is $15 then jumped to $17.25 million ( because of 2 year span, but economy tanked, should get demo done for less than $15 million) Twp. should be able to make purchase or work with another group to do it and still be under budget or lease it.

Comment on Cutting Appears to Have Resumed? by admin

admin — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:55:28 +0000

Your wish is my command.

Comment on Cutting Appears to Have Resumed? by let the public speak

let the public speak — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:07:12 +0000

If you have proof of trees being cut why not show it?

Comment on Cutting Appears to Have Resumed? by let the public speak

let the public speak — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:57:54 +0000

The tree cutting is concerning because:
1. The old growth trees have not been identified as interfering with any buildings or structures, since reportably no site plan has been submitted. REIS has no aparent interest in preservation or keeping the community informed. Even though the community is a partner in this project to the tune of $ 17 million Brownfield tax dollars. REIS has a partial payment of $25 million to date.
2. REIS is not required to replace the trees or contribute to the woodland fund as any other developer or individual is or has been. No fee, No permit, No inspection
3.No property lines have visually been identified or staked. The eastern old growth woodlot is partially on the Hawthorne Center property and the westerly prop.line is shared with the Township’s donated parcels. How does a cutting crew know who’s property they are on if they find commercially valuable trees near the outskirts of the parcel? If a neighbor’s tree is removed, does the township share any liablity for not enforcing the tree identification , permit and inspection process?
4. What about the soil contamination. Is it in the area of the work? Can it be moved around by equippment, truck tires, erosion, rain or snow runoff?
Simply questions that a “partner” should be kept informed of.

Comment on Tree Cutting on the Hospital Property by Lisa Jerry

Lisa Jerry — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:46:10 +0000

My sister had a few big trees in her back yard and they weren’t worth much cash, but when she sold her house the new buyers loved them and so they added to the value in that way. When she moved she took our advice and worked with a company called Taylor Morrison (http://dreambig.taylormorrison.com/?utm_source=bc). They helped her research her next neighborhood and she was able to choose a house with the landscaping that she wanted, and she was entered into a contest to win a dream vacation. I would imagine that it would cost a lot to remove trees that are the size you’re talking about, so I would weigh the cost of removal against the sale price before making and decisions.

Comment on Block grants funds may be used for brownfield in Northville Township by let the public speak

let the public speak — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:09:31 +0000

If the township decides to use Block Grant funds towards this project the funds should be used to purchase and develop public space and amenities which will directly benefit the community for years to come vs tearing down or cleaning up hidden medical waste that will only clear the way for a private corporation to make a profit on their property. The Block Grant money should only be used to fund projects within the 100 acre donated township park property.

Comment on The Brownfield Repayment Schedule… Doesn’t Look Good by let the public speak

let the public speak — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:24:27 +0000

The payment schedule is make believe without a site plan to go along with it. Anyone can claim they can fit 500 homes on a site, or 950,000 sq. ft. of retail. Then engineers start laying it out and, opps, with roads, utilities , setbacks, greenbabelts, detention ponds, etc, we can only get 400 homes, and 800,000 s.f. retail. So much for the repayment schedule guesstiment. What homeowner would purchase a lot without making sure their dream house would fit on it? Would they just take the word of the realtor? Oh, don’t worry your house plan will fit, just buy it, sign here.