Chikaming Township Board updated on closing date for Beidler Trust property

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New Buffalo Times

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Chikaming Township Board updated on closing date for Beidler Trust property

An update was given on efforts of Chikamign Township to acquire property that would expand its public beach frontage at the Thursday, Aug. 12, meeting of the Chikaming Township Board of Trustees.

At the Aug. 12 meeting, Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunte said that the closing on the Beidler Trust property was scheduled to take place Wednesday, Aug. 18.

Since 2018, the township has been trying to acquire the Beidler Trust property adjacent to Cherry Beach Park, which will protect nearly three acres of critical dune and increase the Park’s current lakefront from 253 feet to 657 feet.

After failing to secure a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant in 2018, the township reapplied in 2019, raising $1.65 million – which was more than the required 40% match. In December 2019, the Cherry Beach Project was awarded the $2.475 million acquisition grant, which will cover 60% of the project’s cost. The estimated cost for the Cherry Beach Project is $4.125 million

Board members accepted a bid in the amount of $8,029 by Techxperience LLC, for audio and visual additions and changes that would assist members of boards and commissions in holding hybrid meetings in the meeting room in Township Center.

The proposal includes replacing the screen at the front of the room with a larger format, so the public can have a better view of what is being presented during meetings, as well as adding a screen to the back of the room that would allow members of the board to also have a better view. Also included is the addition of a

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA computer and monitor to the rear of the room that would allow whoever is running the meeting at the front of the room to log into Zoom at the computer and that will make it easier to film the meetings.

At their June meeting, board members had approved tabling the proposal until September to determine what will be required by the state with holding zoom meetings and in-person meetings.

Board members approved appointing Jill Underhill to an open seat on the Park Board. Chair Arthur Anderson said he looks forward to working Underhill, who previously served on the board, in the future.

Upon request from the Planning Commission, a Special Land Use (SLU) for a parcel located at 12580 Sawyer Rd. (in front of the Super 8 Motel) for a Bigby Coffee, with the conditions presented by the Planning Commission, was approved in a 3-0 vote (Bill Marske, a member of the Planning Commission, abstained, and trustee Rich Sullivan was absent).

Bunte said the Planning Commission had requested increasing the drive from its current 21 feet to 24 feet.

Board members approved motions regarding some dangerous buildings within the township.

Regarding a dangerous building for 7322 Harbert Rd., board members had approved giving the owner 60 days to complete the demolition of all the structures and the removal of all debris. At the Aug. 12 meeting, board members approved allowing the owner to cap the well and close off the septic system properly to complete the inspection by the inspector and to remove the trash that was thrown across the railroad track right of way within 30 days.

Regarding a dangerous building at 7312 Harbert Rd., board members had to allow the owner to obtain a building permit by June 18 to complete work on the roof and to make the structure safe by July 8 at their June meeting.

On Aug. 12, Bunte said that no improvements had been made. Dudiak added that a building permit was obtained June 18; however, nothing had been done since then.

Board members approved taking the next step with the township’s attorney for assistance with the property for its repair and/or demolition.

Regarding a dangerous building at 5084 Browntown Rd., board members also approved eliciting the help of their attorney to move forward with regards to its repair and/or demolition.

Bunte said the owner of property had been given 90 days to upgrade all their structures so that they’re considered safe, which would’ve been July 21. No permits had been pulled, although it appeared the shingles and siding had been removed from the garage but no other action had been taken.

Board members approved trustee Rich Sullivan maintaining his position as township representative on the Local Revenue Sharing Board.

Board members approved purchasing back a plot at Lakeside Cemetery in the amount of $112.50.

A land division for a parcel on Sandhill Drive was approved.

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