Township delays approval of GM demolition permits
General Motors Corp. will have to wait to obtain demolition permits to clear the sites of the former Craft Centre and Metal Fabricating Plant, which were closed three years ago.
The township Planning Commission on Wednesday postponed approval of the permits on GM's demolition applications.
The stumbling block is GM's apparent plan to leave the 40- to 50-acre site covered with crushed concrete. The township demolition ordinance requires materials such as sidewalks, parking lots and buildings, be removed, and the site then restored to its pre-development status.
"For lack of other words," township Planning Director Steve Hayward said, "grassy fields."
He said it appears that GM plans to leave the site covered in about 18 inches of crushed concrete, left from the materials currently on the site.
Hayward said the commission is requesting more information from GM. He said he expects to consider its response either at the next regular planning commission meeting on Feb. 20 or at a special meeting called earlier.
Lansing Township last year passed an ordinance governing building demolitions, according to Township Clerk Susan Aten.
Township Supervisor John Daher said he was frustrated with the slow pace of the redevelopment process.
"If I have any disappointment, it is the fact that we have been meeting with them for almost a year, since February, 2007, and I find it unbelievable, inconceivable that we still have not reached consensus on how we should go about this," Daher said.
GM has said its plan adds value to the sites because of the availability of granular material for future developers' use, according to Hayward.
If GM responds to the planning commission's concerns by repeating its original request, the commission could forward the matter to the township board of trustees with a recommendation to deny the permit.
The commission also could recommend approval of the demolition conditioned on restoring the site in accordance with the ordinance.
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