I. Introductions

The meeting came to order at 7:04 p.m. Mr. Sych asked the attendees to introduce themselves to the group. The list of attendees is attached at the end of the document.

[Author's Note: Please note that only four voting members of twelve were in attendance at the meeting.]

II. Meeting Orientation

Mr. Sych discussed the agenda, and the goal of discussing the initial draft of the resolution of consensus. He discussed the feeling existing after the roundtables that a bypass of the Village of Schoolcraft is in the eventual future.

III. Discussion of Draft Resolution

Based on the roundtable discussions, Mr. Sych prepared a draft resolution, at the behest of SAUPC, conveying that feeling, and embodying the consensus that he felt have already been reached. Mr. Sych then highlighted the parts of the resolution, and the fact that it is only a beginning, with much more consensus being needed before any significant decisions can be said to have been reached. It is unclear when any MDOT planning will take place, even if immediate and full consensus has been reached, as a result of budget cutbacks and realigned priorities at the state level. We hope that, when the planning process resumes in St. Joseph County, MDOT will begin planning work in this area as well.

Mr. Sych solicited comments from SAUPC regarding the draft resolution. Mr. Warfield highlighted the fact that the draft reflects the areas of consensus reached by SAUPC, and includes changes can be made to improve the corridor in the short-term future. Mr. R. Youngs discussed the portion of the resolution that discusses the improvement of VW Avenue as a Class A road, highlighting the fact that it would need MDOT approval and would require a variance from the normal 2-mile distance between Class A roads. Additionally, he discussed the impact that the upgrade to Class A would have on the adjacent properties, covering such issues as lane width, right-of-way needs, shoulder width, clear vision areas, and other necessities related to Class A status. Mr. Sych added a discussion of interchanges, tying it to the provision of the resolution covering improved connections between the Villages of Schoolcraft and Vicksburg. Mr. Warfield pointed out that VW Avenue is becoming a higher-use road, and that now is the right time to try to reach compromise. Mr. Harden questioned the text pertaining to access to US-131 in the principle related to better connections between the Villages of Schoolcraft and Vicksburg. Mr. Sych indicated that it was a broad statement, indicating that SAUPC desires to see both villages to maintain reasonable access to US-131 without incurring a significant disruption to either growth patterns or large swaths of farmland. Discussion followed regarding both the text pertaining to access and to VW Avenue. The discussion focused on the need for VW Avenue to be a Class A road, and the process for achieving the goal. Mr. Sych proposed that we modify the statement to reflect the concerns raised during the discussion, and will make those modifications for presentation to SAUPC.

Mr. Warfield asked for clarification to the reference to a collective, permanent agreement between the community and MDOT with regard to the current US-131 and to the relocation process. Mr. Sych discussed his intent in crafting that text, highlighting the desire to get MDOT to work with the community to keep the project moving and to emphasize the consensus that has been reached, so that MDOT will have that material to work with as moving forward to plan for the future of US-131. Mr. Chapin added that the planning and zoning issues will also be key to the process of reinforcing the principles in the corridor, and in working with MDOT to implement them in the corridor.

Mr. Warfield commented that he is concerned that SAUPC has not issued a final decision; Mr. Sych indicated with a degree of consensus that the agreement to a need for a bypass is a rather significant agreement, but that the resolution should also include a course of action for MDOT and the local units of government, both in the short- and long-term futures. Mr. Sych expressed concern that we do not want MDOT to simply pick up where they left off, but that we want them to work with us, utilizing the principles the community has identified as important, and attempt to reach a conclusion based on those corridor principles.

Mr. Sych indicated other areas that will need to be pushed by the communities to ensure that they are addressed, including economic development and agri-business impacts. MDOT is a road agency first and foremost, but should be asked to factor in other issues that are of importance to the community.

Mr. Warfield highlighted the community's desire to know what is going to happen, and what the impact to them will be. As such, he asked that the resolution be modified to indicate that MDOT will begin the planning process as soon as possible. Mr. Sych discussed the process through which that agreement will be reached, involving the corridor study process. Mr. Harden commented that the local MDOT staff are likely to be receptive to a coordinated process, as they are willing to work with other agencies to reach solutions that are agreeable both to MDOT and to the local units. Discussion followed regarding the need for attention to economic impact and development along the corridor.

Mr. Sych, as indicated earlier, will bring a revised version of the resolution back to SAUPC's 25 June 2003 meeting. He also highlighted the fact that he hopes the four member communities will consider the resolution for passage. Mr. Sych will bring it back to the members to distribute, so that we can secure as much feedback as possible.

IV. Next Steps

A. Truck Study

Mr. Sych added this to the agenda because of previous comments, but those in attendance did not feel that it merited further discussion.

B. Further Building of Consensus

This item was not discussed during this meeting.

V. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m. SAUPC will meet again on 25 June 2003 at 7:00 p.m., at the Village of Schoolcraft Hall.

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Attachment 1
List of Attendees