I. Introductions

The meeting came to order at 7:05 p.m. We took time to introduce ourselves to each other. A list of attendees is included as Attachment 1.

II. Meeting Orientation

John Sych gave a quick overview of the meeting, leading into the evening's agenda.

III. Review of Community Roundtable Discussions

John Sych began by providing an overview of the community roundtables which were held in March and a brief summary of the comments made at the discussion. A list of roundtable discussion comments and attendees is included as Attachment 2. There was general discussion about the roundtable discussions and the comments made by the attendees.

IV. Next Steps

A. Finding Points of Consensus

It was generally agreed by those present that there is a short-term fix and a long-term fix. The short-term fix includes access management, streetscape improvements and improving US-131 as a local business corridor. The long-term fix is an issue of quality of life. With the expected increase of truck traffic and ongoing problems with the railroad crossing.

After long deliberation, it was suggested that John Sych draft a resolution for discussion at the next meeting. The resolution would support a by-pass of Schoolcraft, but not indicate any direction or route. The resolution would be discussed and it would be determined if there is such support for the resolution. It was anticipated that at some point in the future, the Michigan Department of Transportation would lead a new round of discussions of a by-pass to study and facilitate a determination of the best route.

V. Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned around 8:11 p.m.

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Attachment 1
List of Attendees

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Attachment 2

Comments from March 13 and March 19 Community Roundtable Discussions

Comments from March 13, 2003

Question 1: What is your vision of the future of the US-131 corridor?

• Set up something like a business loop, perhaps with "intersections" at U Avenue and XY Avenue
• Aesthetics of a 30-foot berm between Vicksburg and Schoolcraft would be terrible, and would not encourage the growth together of the two villages
• As many roads as possible should remain open
• Don't enhance speed through Schoolcraft
• Don't see an issue with stopping at 3 lights; bottle-necking more in Constantine, don't see a need in Schoolcraft for a bypass
• If you move it, who will it help?
• Concern over the highway being moved next to people's homes
• Railroad traffic seems to be the big hold-up of car traffic
• The intersection of Shaver and US-131 is currently terrible to navigate
• Place highway into smart-growth area to minimize impact through such things as subdivision development in agricultural areas
• Keep things the same between Schoolcraft and Three Rivers
• Use existing corridor between Schoolcraft and Three Rivers; build access roads on each side
• Bridge over Schoolcraft; done in Florida, allows safe traffic and travel
• West bypass may have less impact on present residents
• Limited access would not have a devastating effect on antique businesses
• Less traffic is a real benefit to crossing the highway, particularly for children
• It will be moved as there is pressure for limited-access convenience
• We want the best solution, not the cheapest
• If it ends up looking like Three Rivers, we haven't accomplished anything
• Make Schoolcraft quiet and more "homey"; take away the division that keeps people on their side of the highway

Question 2: Given that there are budget woes and other transportation priorities, what should we do in the meantime?

• Weigh station would eliminate truck traffic that is avoiding one
• Service roads parallel to highway north of Schoolcraft
• Left-turn lanes on north and south of Schoolcraft
• Eliminate roads onto US-131 to ease traffic flow
• Add left-turn lane at W Avenue
• Hopefully County will be proactive in access roads, and will help prod the Village to keep going on access management
• Truck scales at old rest area
• A truck route bypassing the village
• Turning lane at Eliza
• Elevated crosswalk
• Slow traffic to the speed limit

Comments from March 19, 2003

• Do not change the traffic flow changed from North-South to East-West on Eliza
• Do not want the Shaver Road interchange as it is
• Want Schoolcraft to become a business route
• Access roads along existing corridor to preserve the route and make it safer.
• East route would provide for future growth for Vicksburg, Portage and Schoolcraft and allow for a future interchange to access Portage Road or other Portage streets.
• Remain in village, move railroad or deal with congestion, use a northern access
• Stay the same, owns a business for 17 years, locals use other travel patterns
• Who is complaining?
• Make a truck route
• Spend money to be the gateway to Michigan
• Two entrances to the turnpike already, so why not widen I-94?
• Direct trucks to best highway away from the Village
• Spend money where you get the best bang for you buck
• If you took a vote today - leave it like it is
• In the 1960's, they want to go around
• Weigh station north of town (village)
• Don't want to destroy farmland
• Put a bypass
• Waste of property/land when there is already a road
• Traveling is so convenient, boring, causes accidents.
• Trips are quicker/boring - break law
• Trucks are not following speed limits.
• Not concerned about losing business, just concerned about the trucks.
• How many (trucks) go through (the village)? How many (trucks) are local or just passing through?
• How many trucks go east or west once on the turnpike or do they go further south?
• Most traffic is in summer on Friday and Sunday evenings
• Need officers to enforce speed limits and catch criminals.
• Schoolcraft is a good place you can help while on the interstate
• What is long term development impact on an interchange?
• Sign for Schoolcraft at interchange.
• Beautification project - need a turn lane, take island out, take some of vacant lot for turning right lane at Eliza Street
• Work on truck traffic
• Cut off curb cuts
• Railroad is the main limiting factor, once back up is out then there is no traffic
• We need to continue to be diligent about working on beautification project and working with MDOT.

March 13, 2003 Attendees

March 19, 2003 Attendees