FeedsTownships, city meet about future plans
The Van Buren Township Planning Commissioners scheduled a joint meeting last week to encouragecommunication between Belleville, Van Buren and Sumpter Township.
The meeting, which was the first that brought officials from all the communities together, gave way to ideas for redeveloping the area for the future.
“For years, the Van Buren Township Planning Commission has been talking about how important Belleville is to the township and the township has the same significant impact on the city,” said Bryce Kelley, director of planning and economic development for Van Buren Township. “As part of the south side master plan update we wanted to get the groups together in the hope that it will continue on for a while.”
The joint meeting focused on two main points—land use/zoning issues and challenges and the relationship between the three communities—to get the general perception of the Belleville area.
“The most valuable thing is everyone realized that everyone can talk to each other,” said Kelley. “There are things we can agree on and there are things we can’t.”
Officials also discussed regional planning interests and common goals including: land use, roads, storm water management, natural features and preservation. Public amenities, such as the library and other civic and park places were also high on the list, Kelley said.
“One example is how Van Buren has been talking about how Sumpter Road south of the railroad tracks needs to be developed in a unified manner. Also, Sumpter shares Bemis Road with Van Buren Township,” he said. “Those are just some of the things happening.”
Numerous officials from all the communities attended the meeting to support the process.
Toby Leis, vice chair of the Belleville Planning Commission, said it provided a lot of thought and input from all the communities.
“I’m looking forward to the next one and continuing the open communication,” he said. “The process was a valid way to work more solidly together. I think it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done.
