By By NORMA LERNER / Edwardsburg Argus
EDWARDSBURG-The Edwardsburg Village Council is expected to make a decision at its Aug. 16 meeting on a rezoning request by contractor Troy Treat of Niles.
The request is for lots two and three just south of the Taco Bell on Elkhart Road that are zoned R-1. Treat is requesting they be zoned R-3 multiple dwelling for a planned apartment complex.
The investment company building the apartments, T.R. Investments, already has R-3 zoning that was granted by the village planning commission at a site adjacent to the north of the lots for an apartment building.
Village President James Robinson said Monday night that the council was not ready at this time to make a decision until it looks at all presented materials for next month's meeting.
There is a recommendation from the planning commission to deny the request because it is not in accordance with the village's future land-use plan, he added.
Treat said at an earlier planning commission meeting that if the rezoning is turned down, the apartments will still be constructed but with 16 fewer units.
Representing Treat was Edwardburg Attorney Dale Blunier who presented council members with several letters from area agencies such as from the school district, the county road commission, Century 21 Realty and Ontwa Township zoning administrator Phil Steele.
Blunier said Steele had no opinion on the rezoning, and the other letters pertained to apartment availability and ingress and egress issues.
Planning commission member Scott Mackling said a public hearing held May 25 on the rezoning request will be addressed at next month's meeting. He said everyone needs to review everything.
The council in a related matter, approved for Steele to be paid $50 per month for any zoning involvement with T.R. Investments.
Robinson reported that the Ontwa Township Edwardsburg Police Department purchased a patrol bicycle at a cost of $870. He said the department is seeking donations toward the bicycle and already received $200 from the Eagle Lake Association and another $100 from Keith Kirkdorfer.
The department will also be hiring another officer with a $125,000 grant that was approved for three years. He said two Taser stun guns have been purchased, and training will take place to operate them.
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