More to say about - you can do whatever you want with your property.

Of course you can do whatever you want with your property-- WITHIN LIMITS. 

Once you infringe on the rights of others it is another matter. 

 

There are laws, regulations, permits for a reason. We limit mining such as gravel pits because they are harmful. Necessary? Yes, in the right location. Next door to my home is the wrong location.  Next door to your home is the wrong location.

With this pit, there would be noise, pollution and dust, loss of taxes (a gravel pit is taxed as vacant property), loss of property value, loss of potential home building (and employment and taxes) and the safety of our children catching the school bus et cetera will be in peril.

The Right To Have Control Over Your Own Property

It was said by the Township Clerk on the Vassar Township Common Sense Facebook page that people should have control over their property.

Let me point out:

1. Mr. Gilling does not own this property so that statement does not apply in this case.

2. I agree people should have control over their own property AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT INFRINGE ON THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS! 

3. The neighbors of this proposed sand and gravel operation have the right to clean air, clean drinking water, safe roads, a quiet neighborhood and stable property values.  Mr. Gilling's sand and gravel operation would ruin our quality of life that we so enjoy now.  No one has the right to take these things away from us.

Development or Abandonment?

It was said on the Vassar Township Common Sense Facebook page by the mother of one of the board members that "the final purposed development would result in a lake and 15 building sites for new homes".

I would like to share what a planning commission member said in response to her nonsense: "No former pit in the township has ever to my knowledge been made into lots for homes, sold and occupied.  Drive around the township and you will see examples of former pits in various states of reclamation but none that are being used as a center for housing".  I agree with the planning commission member.  Does anyone out there know of a former pit that has been made into housing?  From my experience I have only seen abandoned pits. 

This planning commission member was the voice of reason at the last meeting when they voted to deny Mr. Gilling's special use permit.

The board member's Momma doesn't know what she is talking about.  In fact, she has a one sided view of a sand and gravel pit.  Are they still leasing property to a sand and gravel operation? 

New Information

New information on Mr. Gilling.  I've been told that he does not plan to start a sand and gravel operation.  Instead he wants the special use permit to buy the property and re-sell for a profit to a different sand and gravel company.  The Township set a precedence by allowing the Hoerlein permit to transfer over to Eggers Sand and Gravel Operation. 
If Mr. Gilling is allowed his special use permit, sells to another company, the Township will not have the authority to set rules and regulations on the new operation. 
What is the truth?  Is he planning to mine for sand and gravel or sell for a profit?
This must be stopped.

Portage Township Michigan - Neighbors file lawsuit over sand and gravel pit

http://www.mininggazette.com/page/content.detail/id/525917.html

The neighbors filled lawsuit over the sand and gravel pit near their home.  It is now in the court of appeals.

Brighton Township trying to stop a sand and gravel pit

http://brighton.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/brighton-township-residents-outraged-over-gravel-pit-007a6e1635

Dust Problem - You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG8ojlAENCo