By Lisa Carolin
The topic of building the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative bike path through Lima Township is a controversial one as was evidenced at the Jan. 9 Lima Township Board meeting.
Board member Duane Luick addressed the topic, which was introduced at last month’s board meeting by Jeff Hardcastle, HWPI chair, and his son.
“It would go across driveways and wellheads, and I think it is a bad idea for this township,” said Luick.
The bike path would potentially affect 66 homeowners in the Dexter-Chelsea Road, Lima Center Road area.
“My garage will be gone,” said Arlene Bareis, the board’s WAVE (Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express) representative.
Other homeowners in attendance were also concerned about the bike path coming through their property, but there was also concern about safety for bicyclists riding through that stretch.
“It’s dangerous there for bicyclists,” said Luick. “The county can do something to make it safer.”
“It would take a small portion of the easement to create a bike lane,” said Lima Township Supervisor Craig Maier, who said he plans to contact the Washtenaw County Road Commission to discuss the bike path.
The board approved a motion to allow Catered Coffee, located at 12855 E. Old US Highway 12, to have a maximum of three signs for a period not to exceed six months. The vote was 4 to 1, with Nanette Havens voting against it.
Last month, the board approved letting Dexter Builders use festoons for six months, despite a township ordinance limiting certain types of flags and yard signs. Zoning Administrator Tom Caplis recommended allowing the six-month increments with the requirement that the businesses check back with the board to decide if it’s working.
In other action, the board unanimously approved the appointment of Ron Howdyshell as the alternate to the Chelsea Area Fire Authority board position.
Maier set a Jan. 30 work session with the City of Chelsea regarding a 425 agreement for the Wolf Property on North Freer Road. The agreement would mean that the city would provide sanitary, water, and electric service to that location. The work session will take place at 6 p.m. at Lima Township Hall.
My Name is David Hardcastle, I am the coordinator for the efforts of Huron Waterloo Pathways in Lima Township. I am also a life long Chelsea/Dexter Resident and currently live in Lima township along the general path of the right-away being considered. I am available to discuss the developments with any residents. Right now we are simply exploring possible routes and doing some preliminary survey work. It is too early to speculate on disturbances this might cause to residential properties and I must stress that as we move forward every effort will be made to reduce any such disturbances. We have had overwhelming support for this project, this single segment is part of a larger county wide project that is known as the Border to Border trail. We will be on the agenda for an up coming Lima Township board meeting as soon as we have some level of detail to present regarding possible path locations within the township. I also want to take a moment to thank the local businesses and residence who have already helped us raise 1.9 million dollars in support of this project! My contact information is [email protected]