We have written a little about the election. We have written a little about river conservation. This time let's have it be known that our Rural Character is being challenged.
In the Voice this week was posted a notice that a Public Hearing will be held at the next Planning Commission Meeting on August 18th at 7:00 P.M. This will be to hear public comments on a request by Robert Birkenshaw (the owner of Bisco's I-69 truck stop) to change the use in one of his buildings. On the white out-building facing M-19, he is asking for permission to operate an "adult bookstore".
According to our ordinance, this should not be allowed within 1000 feet of a residential district. Look at his property!! He is certainly within 1000 feet of the houses in Emmett. He is also within that same 1000 feet of residential properties in Riley. The property across the street (M-19) is zoned commercial for only the first 600 feet. Also, the property behind him (Burt Rd) is zoned for mobile homes which is a residential zoning. Why is there even a question as to whether or not this is legal. I understand that the request was sent to the township lawyer for a legal opinion. Let's make sure that our opinion is known too.
By coincidence this week in the Times Herald there was an article about him tearing down some of his buildings in Emmett, including his topless bar. Could it be only by happenstance that he now wants to open his "adult trade" in Riley? Is it possible that this is only a first step before wanting topless dancers at his new location also?
I don't know the answers to these questions, but I do know that it will take citizen voices and citizen presence at this public hearing to make certain that our voices are heard. Please mark down the date and time. Show up. Voice your opinion. Is this the RURAL CHARACTER that we want to have?
By the way, good luck to the candidates that we have endorsed. we wish you the best results possible on Tuesday. May you all be on the ballot in November.
2 comments:
I remember a news article in the Times Hearld (May 5, 2005) about the adult bookstore issue and Dave Rushing was going to meet with Robert Birkenshaw (owner of Bisco's) in hopes of preventing a lawsuit by Bisco's. I have not seen a follow-up article and I do not know the status other than it seems that Bisco's is pressing the issue based on the info on this site. Frankly, I believe that too many people are greedy and will do whatever is possible to bring "business" to the area on the basis of "benefiting the community" because jobs will be created. However, when more business comes, more people move in, the people want more "services" from their township and that brings with it an increase in property taxes to pay for increased services. Then the township offices will grow with more staff needed to run the services thus creating a larger paycheck for the officers and job security. Believe me, I do not want businesses out here...that is why I moved to Riley nearly ten years ago. I moved out here to get away from the city. I do not mind driving and paying high gas prices just so I can come home and see the deer, turkeys, pheasants, herons, rabbits, turtles, and the like in my backyard. But, like other communities, if you do not have the backing of your township board members and of your neighbors, then growth will come because the developers and business owners that want to come here will take the township to court to get their way. Also, I believe there are numerous state laws that require townships to set up zoning for retail, manufacturing, etc. I don't know the specifics, but, I say zone the property along I-69 or M-19 for just that. And, if we have current zoning ordinances to limit the type of business along those roads, then the township needs to keep the ordinances as they are and not cave in to the businesses that want the ordinaces to be changed to benefit only them. Yes, I want Riley to stay Rural...forever!
Normally we would not post or respond to mailings of this type. However, we will this one time, just so all can see the thought process of some people. We have posted it unedited. This comment will be left on the Blog for only a short period because it deserves no more than that. Our responses will be at the end of these comments.
let the man do what he wants!!! you government people are so stupid!!! Way back when, the people would have been happy to have a book store!!! What's wrong with, BOOK HATER!!!! that's not good for the young people to hear, the government turning down a BOOK STORE!!!! It's pathetic!!! And guess what, I'm one of the young, wait till all of my friends hear this!!! And it's not really about the book store is it, it's the fact that you people can show your power and knock someone's dreams down!!! Well guess what, we came to America to be free of people like that, go back where we came from, you people aren't american!!!!
~Concerned Memphis Lover~
p.s. I kno who you are and I kno you don't REALLY care bout river canservation!!!
1)The man can do what he wants subject to the laws and the ordinances of the township. Township ordinances are law. Also taken into consideration is the will of the people.
2)With all of the people associated with Friends of the Belle River, as far as we know, none has a government position at this time.
3)“Way back when” we have had bookstores. As a Concerned Memphis Lover, you should be familiar with the one on Potter Street. It is called a library.
4)If you are referring to an adult bookstore, personally we see no need for one in Riley Township. From past responses at public hearings the good people of Emmett would prefer not to have one on their border either. Besides the loss of rural character, we believe that they are at least a part of the breakdown of the morals in our society. You have plenty of access to pornography already by using your computer. There is no reason that others should be subjected to it.
5)We are not sure which or whose dreams we would be knocking down unless it is your dream to have unlimited access to this material.
6)If you did know us then you would also know that we do care about River Conservation, Riley Township and its citizens. – Riley Citizen & ElzeeM
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