Lansing Twp. won’t rescind rezoning moratorium

LANSING – Appeals from Mayor Virg Bernero’s administration and the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce did not sway Lansing Township to reverse the zoning moratorium that Lansing officials say is threatening a $5.8 million deal to sell the former Waverly Golf Course.

“There’s a reason Lansing Township is known as the North Korea of municipal governments,” Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero said in a text message. “We will judge them by their deeds not their words.”

The Lansing Township board decided during a discussion Tuesday night not to revoke the moratorium, which halts parcels of five acres or more from being rezoned until December while township zoning ordinances are updated.

“In four months (the zoning ordinance) will be resolved,” said Steve Hayward, township planning director. “We’re not out there trying to keep them from selling. Do we stop doing what we think is right because others think it’s the wrong thing?”

Bernero is prepared to go to court over the matter, he said during a phone interview Tuesday.

Lansing and the chamber are worried the moratorium will spoil a deal with Livonia-based developer Schostak Bros. & Co. The company has a purchasing option valid through the end of the year.

“It’s time to put a halt to the reckless financial behavior that is threatening important new economic development in the Metro Lansing region,” wrote Tim Daman, chamber president and CEO, in a letter to Lansing Township Supervisor Kathy Rogers. “This would have the impact of impeding economic growth, investment and job creation in our region.”

Lansing Township officials say otherwise.

“We have had numerous meetings with Schostak Brothers and have never been told that our current efforts to update the ordinance has caused them any delays,” Rogers wrote in letter to Daman on Wednesday afternoon. “In fact, they have told us that they are not ready to move forward until they have a tenant in hand and that our efforts are running parallel.”

Rogers further wrote that Daman’s letter was an insult to those in the township who have improved the reputation of the region in relation to the Eastwood development.

Hayward said Schostak’s broker on the deal, Jay Barnes of Grand Rapids-based Synergy Properties, reached out Tuesday to set up a meeting with Schostak developers about their plan for the property. Barnes relayed to Hayward that Schostak has two anchor tenants interested in the development, but that anything official would be a year out, according to Hayward.

Barnes referred all questions to Schostak represnatives, who could not be reached after multiple attempts.

Lansing officials have said the developer intends to use the space for a mix of retail, office and residential space.

The parcel is currently zoned for parks and recreational areas. Hayward said any plan the developers come forward with will have to be compatible with the 2009 master plan, which recommends keeping a majority of the site for recreational use while allowing some limited development along West Saginaw Avenue.

“The plan doesn’t reflect what the city is expecting for the property,” Hayward said.

The master plan is in the process of being updated and could be finished by next summer. Hayward said the township is considering tweaking possible uses for the golf course.

Despite the township’s decision, Daman said the chamber will keep pushing for the moratorium to be revoked.

“We will continue to rally the business community and generate support,” he said. “That corridor is in need of an infusion of something in growth there. It’s an eye sore.”

Contact Alex Alusheff at (517) 388-5973 or aalusheff@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexalusheff.