September 24, 2003 Meeting Notes

I. Introductions

The meeting came to order at 7:01 p.m. The list of attendees is attached.

II. Meeting Orientation

Mr. Sych updated the group on the most recent activities, highlighting the passage of the resolution by the four municipalities.

III. Forwarding of July 23rd Resolution to MDOT

Mr. Sych discussed the importance of the letter conveying the resolution to MDOT, including the need to let a number of elected officials and agencies know about the actions that we have taken on the issue. We want to be sure to keep them informed, and to be able to solicit their assistance as needed. The letter will be addressed directly to MDOT Director Jeff, and will highlight key issues related to the potential relocation of US-131. We reviewed the draft letter prepared by Mr. Sych, with him discussing the points he made in the letter and the reasoning for those points. Among those highlights is the importance of emphasizing the need to utilize context-sensitive design (CSD) in the development of the highway. (Please see item IV. C. for a discussion on CSD.) Mr. Brown suggested a couple of minor changes, mostly grammatical in nature, but including a suggestion that text referencing MDOT's previous abandonment of the project perhaps indicated that it was a good thing, while this group suggests that we would like MDOT to have continued with the project regardless. We then discussed who should be the signatories of the letter. We will then enter "wait and see" mode for the response from MDOT.

IV. Next Steps

Mr. Sych highlighted the potential value of meeting with the group in St. Joseph County to examine potential avenues of cooperation and shared interests.

A. Implementation of Access Management

We discussed the implementation of access management in the Village. Mr. Harden updated the group regarding the Village of Schoolcraft's efforts, and Mr. Ulsh updated the group regarding Schoolcraft Township's efforts.

B. Economic Development for the US-131 Corridor

Mr. Sych suggested the importance of economic development along the corridor. Mr. Harden updated the group regarding the development of a downtown development authority within the Village of Schoolcraft. Messrs. Harden, Sych, and Ulsh discussed other areas of potential cooperation between Schoolcraft Township and the Village of Schoolcraft, and other tools that are available for economic development.

C. Introduction of "Context Sensitive Design"

Mr. Sych initiated a brief discussion of the definition of CSD. The importance of CSD to this area is the perceived need for MDOT to deviate from their normal set of standards in the development and construction of the US-131 bypass, so as to preserve environmental and economic features. This has been done in other areas of the state, and we believe that the standards should be flexed in this area as well to allow for CSD.

V. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. The group will meet again on Wednesday, 22 October 2003, at 7:00 p.m. in the Village of Schoolcraft Hall.

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Attachment 1
List of Attendees