- Does Lake Township have any authority of this proposal? This is a matter of some debate. The township board was asked by the road commission to provide an opinion on the proposal. Many of us who are opposed to the proposal and let them know via email and expressing our opinions at township meetings. Despite the fact that the meeting attendees were overwhelmingly against the proposal, the township board told the road commission that they were neutral. A representative of the Crystal Lake Watershed Commission reminded the Township that there is a section of the zoning ordinance that requires Planning Commission approval of any project that results in a paving project on private property of more than 4,000 square feet. The debate is whether or not the initial construction of the road is a private or public project. Our interpretation is that since the new road must first be constructed as a private road before the Road Commission approves it, it is subject to this ordinance.
- What will be the speed limit of the new road? The speed limit will be automatically set to 55mph. The state of Michigan has specific rules for changing the speed limit on rural roads. It requires a study by the State Police that measures the speed of vehicles traveling on the road. The speed limit will only be reduced if 85% of the vehicles travel at a lower speed.
- Will there be a bicycle/pedestrian lane? Yes. It will be the same width as the paved shoulder on the current road that goes down the steeper portion of the hill.
- Why don’t the members of the Club who are against this plan speak up? From my conversations with members, they are concerned about the impact their public opposition could have on their current enjoyment of their membership. They have related instances to me of people that have been consistently excluded from Club-sponsored activities and certain committees after publicly speaking out on other occasions.
- How do I stay up to date on the progress of the proposal? Send me your email address and I will include you on the distribution list for the updates I send out every week or two when new information becomes available. If you wish, please indicate your preference for anonymity and I will make sure that your bcc’d on the messages.
- What is the Approval Process/Current Status of the Proposal?
- The BCRC must finalize the Road Relocation Agreement with the Club. The BCRC has decided to ask the Lake Township Board’s opinion of this proposal before continuing any work on finalizing the agreement with the Club.
- The Michigan Department of Transportation must approve the new intersection with M-22.
- the Club must build the road according to the BCRC specifications related to the construction of public roads. It is unclear currently as to whether or not Lake Township has to approve this.
- BCRC must approve the new road as being built correctly.
- BCRC must provide public notice and hold public sessions for citizens to present their opinions and argue for or against vacating the current right-of-way and turning the property over to the Club.