Planning Commission wants to reject housing development

Published 10:12 am Thursday, February 4, 2010

By JESSICA SIEFF
Dowagiac Daily News

EDWARDSBURG – Residents will have to wait to find out the fate of the former Escape Reality adult nightclub, the site of an investigation that resulted in the arrest of several employees who faced charges including lewd and lascivious conduct, cocaine delivery and Ecstasy delivery.

In late November, a proposal was brought before the village planning commission to rezone the site and shared property across the street, owned by Evergreen Land Holding LLC., to allow for a new residential housing development, “Pleasant Shores.”

The village planning commission recommended the village council reject the proposal.
At a council meeting last month, the matter was tabled for the owner to collect more information regarding drain issues as well as the official recommendation from the Cass County Planning Commission.

The commission recommended the proposal be “reconsidered.”

In minutes reported regarding the Jan. 6 meeting of the planning commission, it is stated, “After discussion, a motion was made by Tom Swartz that the Cass County Planning Commission recommends that the Village of Edwardsburg reconsider (its) decision, that (it) consider requiring an environmental assessment on the property and that (it) consider negotiating a reduced number of units on the site.”

The motion was seconded by Julius DeCocq. Roseann Marchetti was the only opposing vote.

Residents will have to wait until the next village council meeting to hear where the issue stands.