October 23, 2002 Meeting Notes

I. Introductions

The meeting came to order at 7:01 p.m. We took time to identify ourselves to each other. A list of attendees is included as Attachment 1.

II. Meeting Orientation - John Sych

John Sych discussed the news article containing MDOT's decision that they will not build a bypass around Petoskey.

We discussed as a committee the need for members of the committee to be spokespersons for this issue, as members of the committee are already receiving contacts regarding this issue. We agreed that we will be available to the media to discuss this issue as needed.

III. Access Management Workshop

A. Tentatively Scheduled for Wednesday, December 4, 2002, at the Schoolcraft Village Hall

We agreed that MDOT was well received at the last meeting, and that they were happy to see the work that is being done by SAUPC in this area. As promised, MDOT will be conducting a workshop on access management. The workshop will be December 4 at the Schoolcraft Village Hall. Furthermore, MDOT has tentatively expressed a willingness to complete the access management plan that was previously completed to the southern limit of the Village of Schoolcraft. The access management work will not be an activity of this committee, but will be of importance to all, particularly Schoolcraft Township and the Village of Schoolcraft.

IV. Corridor Principles

A. Develop Corridor Principles in the areas of Agriculture, Business, Environment, Planning & Zoning, Quality of Life, Residential, Transportation

The principles are the broad ideas that serve as the basic principles of the planning process. John Sych provided us with an example from Putnam County, West Virginia. He also provided the basic principles utilized in St. Joseph County. We used the list from St. Joseph County as the basis from our conversation. Discussion that centered on specific principles on the St. Joseph County list is included herein, and follows immediately.

#1: Maximize the use of existing US-131 route - The discussion centered on the need to use the existing corridor. Several persons present feel that we should not worry greatly over that factor, as a bypass to either side would, by default, use very little of the corridor. The feeling of the committee is that we should place more emphasis on #3, "Minimize the impact on farmland," than on #1. Also suggested was a principle calling for the corridor planning process here to seek to connect US-131 to the section being planned in St. Joseph County. We agree regarding the need to emphasize our support for the preservation of area business, particularly concerning ourselves with the unique needs of agriculture.

#7: Minimize the impact on wetlands / #8: Minimize the impact on wildlife habitat - We believe that these are more problems for MDOT to address; however, we recognize the fact that working with MDOT in their effort to address these issues may help shape the highway and the area surrounding it.

#9: Minimize impact on travel patterns - This will be an important issue for us to address, as it will preserve our agriculture, our business, our residential areas, and our emergency service operations. Directly related to these concerns is the need to protect the existing industrial corridors in Vicksburg and Schoolcraft.

Additionally, we discussed ways to implement positive changes, such as zoning changes, to protect desired interests. A question was asked regarding why we are trying to build consensus, instead of simply letting MDOT state their preference and then working to adapt to it. The answers focused on the fact that we would like to influence MDOT's decision, and on MDOT's stand that they are not going to move forward if our result matches that of the last effort to deal with this issue - a complete lack of agreement amongst affected agencies. Another question inquired why we do not sit down as a committee and each discuss our individual preferences for the highway's relocation. Answers expressed concern that such an action would be a return to the last effort, which failed to accomplish the goal; answers also indicated the belief that the committee should lead as a whole rather than as individuals.

V. Next Steps

A. Refine Principles

During this discussion, John Sych developed a list of draft corridor principles that he will prepare and present at the next meeting for the committee to review and discuss.

B. Community Discussion and Input

VI. Adjourn

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

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Attachment 1
List of Attendees