Township Extends Marijuana Moratorium; Moves Ahead With Park Projects

The Board unanimously approved a resolution to extend the township's existing moratorium on medical marijuana facilities an additional 180 days.

There was no discussion on the matter by the board, which was missing Trustee Todd Birkle, and no comments were made on the issue during the public comment portion of the meeting.

The township has had a moratorium on the approval of medical marijuana facilities since December 2010.

Last December the board decided to approve the moratorium and wait for the state, or the courts, to clear up what the board called "gray areas" in the law in December.

Because there has been little movement by the state or courts to clarify the states medical marijuana law, the township moved Tuesday night to extend the moratorium until December 2011.

Board moves to draft requests for proposals for parks

The township board unanimously approved requests from the parks and recreation committee to draft requests for proposals for improvements at

Those improvements will include repairs to the parks building/gazebo, the installation of an irrigation system and maintenance to the ball fields.

In addition, the township has approved a request from parks and recreation to contract with Beckett and Raeder to do the design work and handle the grant implementation for Bloomer Park.

First reading of township rezoning

The township approved the first reading of the proposed rezoning of the township property located at the corner of M-59 and Porter Road where current township offices are located.

The first reading was based on a recommendation from the planning commission to approved the proposed rezoning.

Currently, the area encompassing the township offices, library, park, a single family home and is zoned for local business and single family. The proposed rezoning would make the area all general business. This zoning would align with the township's master plan.

The single family home on the property is vacant, according to the township, and will also be rezoned general business.

Other items discussed at the meeting include:

• Approval of fireworks permits for Cedar Island Lake and White Lake.
• Approval of a resolution confirming Goose Roundup for Lakewood Village, with the added language that the petitioners understand the birds might be euthanized.
• Approval of Quake on the Lake permits.
• Approval of a bid for improvements at the .