Schoolcraft Area US-131 Planning Committee/
US-131 Corridor Master Plan Committee

Village of Schoolcraft Hall

Notes from 23 February 2005 Meeting

I. Introductions and Updates on US-131 Activities

The meeting came to order at 7:05 p.m. The meeting began with introductions of those in attendance. A list of attendees is attached following as Appendix I.

II. Status of Joint Resolutions

John Sych noted that all four local units of government in the Schoolcraft Area US-131 Planning Committee (SAUPC) have passed the resolution. Sally Carpenter noted that all communities in St. Joseph County, with the exception of White Pigeon Township and Constantine Village, have passed the resolution.

III. Discussion: Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for St. Joseph County

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has distributed a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for US-131 in St. Joseph County. A hearing on the EIS will take place on March 29, 2005 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Three Rivers Community Center. The public hearing will be in an open house format. The deadline for submitting comments to MDOT on the EIS is April 29, 2005.

We will try to get a digital copy (i.e., PDF file, etc.) of the EIS out to committee members and the public.

Since it is questionable if continued funding for US-131 in St. Joseph County will be available, a question was asked as to how long the EIS is valid for (i.e., the shelf life of the report)? Darrell Harden indicated that he would have to confirm the response to the question.

There was some discussion of where US-131 ranks as far as state-wide MDOT projects and regional MDOT projects. It was generally agreed that the widening of I-94 is a number one priority, but what is number two? The committees felt that had a great opportunity to push US-131 as the number two priority in the region.

IV. Other News

Sally Carpenter mentioned she has a video on Access Management that is available for loan for anyone interested in the subject. Interested individuals should contact Sally.

Cheri Lutz and Jerri French provided an overview of the intersection improvements and streetscape development that will be occurring in the Village of Schoolcraft for 2005. The improvements are part of an MDOT Enhancement Grant that was secured by the Village.

V. Future Committee Meeting Schedule

It was discussed about whether the two committees should still meet together and if so, when and how often? We agreed that no meeting would be held in March. Members from both committees are strongly urged to attend the public hearing on March 29. Then at an April meeting, the two committees would (1) meet to discuss the public hearing, (2) take a collective position on the EIS and (3) establish an agreeable meeting schedule.

VI. Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. The next meeting is to be held on Tuesday, 26 April 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, 57 N. Main, Three Rivers.

Appendix I

List of Attendees

SAUPC

Tim Brown - Village of Schoolcraft
John Chapin - Prairie Ronde Township
Cheri Lutz - Village of Schoolcraft
Tom Swiat - Prairie Ronde Township
John Sych - Kalamazoo County Planning and Community Development
Don Ulsh - Schoolcraft Township

US-131 CMPC

Marty Barth - Lockport Township
Garth Bullock - Constantine Township
Ron Carpenter - Park Township
Sally Carpenter - MSU Extension, St. Joseph County
James Griffith - St. Joseph County Planning Commission
Lon Huffman - St. Joseph County Planning Commission
Butch Lanphear - Fabius Township
Leonard Moyer - Village of Constantine
Dick Ohlin - Park Township
Bob Ray - Constantine Township
Ray Schmidtendorff - Constantine Township
Ron Shaver - Flowerfield Township

Others

John Byrnes - Kalamazoo County Road Commission
Jerri French, Schoolcraft / Schoolcraft Community Association
Darrell Harden - MDOT
Kathy Jessup - Kalamazoo Gazette
Carl Tackett - Schoolcraft / Schoolcraft Community Association
Norma Tackett - Schoolcraft / Schoolcraft Community Association