Friends of the Belle River: November 2008

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Thank You Riley Voters

We would like to thank all of the voters in Riley that supported the endorsed candidates. With your help 3 of the 5 elected officials have views in line with our goals. It is understood that all things cannot happen with a snap of the fingers, but with the right people in place we should start to see some changes and progress. We hope to see commitments now lived up to. This includes:
Improved zoning for the River Conservation District
A better ditching program to help preserve our roads
Another look at Farm Preservation, working with the county & state to conserve that land
Topography to help with water runoff
A good road ordinance for construction of new roads
Assistance where needed for Neighbors helping Neighbors
A stop to the nonsense with Bisco's, we want to maintain our Rural Character

SUPPORT PROTECTION OF THE BELLE RIVER

History of the River Conservation District
Ø In the early 1960,’s Riley Twp. established the Open Space District and only allowed the building of houses in specific places.

Ø In 1979, the Open Space District name was changed to the River Conservation District and was expanded to protect larger parcels of land along the Belle River. This was done to protect the river from pollutants typical of residential and commercial developments - illicit discharges from septics, fertilizers, car washing discharge, oil dumping, etc.

Ø In 2002 the lot size was changed to a minimum of three (3) acres, three hundred (300’) feet frontage in the River Conservation District and on Belle River Road. This was done to protect the river and to slow the growth that Riley Township was experiencing in the River Conservation District.

Ø In 2007, the Riley Township Planning Commission updated the Master Plan and Zoning Map of Riley Township. It was discovered that there were properties in the River Conservation District that did not belong there. The Planning Commission revised the Zoning Map to remove those properties, and reduced other parcels within the District. They also added or enlarged other parcels that they felt should be included in the R.C. District. The Zoning Map changes had been approved by the County Planning Commission and were sent to the Riley Township Board for adoption.

Currently
Ø Some members of the Riley Township Board want to change the River Conservation District to only five hundred (500’) feet of buffer on both sides of the river. This could provide the following results:

o Land parcels being designated in two different zoning districts,
o Allowing more houses to be built in the River Conservation District,
o Allowance of approvals for commercial businesses along the river, which the River Conservation District currently does not allow. (Commercial development has a higher risk of pollutant runoff)
o Allowance of other approval uses that are too numerous to list.

The proposed changes to the River Conservation District would:

· Endanger the quality of the Belle River, and wildlife and wetland habitat that surround it.

· Endanger Riley Township’s rural character.

· Endanger the Belle River ecosystem and its’ watershed.

Help keep the R.C. District away from the developers; save it for the residents and our quality of life!

Friends of the Belle River

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Thank You Riley Voters

SUPPORT PROTECTION OF THE BELLE RIVER

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