Other Voices—
From the City of Saline mayor, exclusive to Saline Journal. [1-3]
This past year has been a productive one here at the City of Saline.
Significant improvements were made to our community’s waste water treatment facility. We redoubled our efforts to recruit and retain local businesses. Additional street and sidewalk work was completed. [4]
And the City began implementation of an organizational restructuring to better meet the needs of the people we represent.
But the most significant and timely issue facing the City of Saline is the proposed Andelina Farms development, located at the cross-section of Michigan Avenue and Austin Road, currently located in Saline Township. The City recently approved a settlement agreement with MI Homes LLC and Saline Ventures, the project developer. This outlines two separate and distinct outcomes. [5]
The first, would involve substantial upgrades to their private utility system, specifically to address chloride and sulfates.
The second option, which is far more ambitious — but is my personal preference — would involve the City annexing the parcel, extending utilities to the site, and receiving a multi-million dollar contribution from the developer to upgrade and expand our municipal infrastructure. In order to execute the second option, we will need to develop a firm construction schedule, receive the necessary approvals/permits from state regulators, and receive commitments from MI Homes regarding the timing of their financial contributions.
Option two is not inevitable; but City Council will likely make a determination no later than January 2020.
Let me be emphatic: Growth and development in our community will occur, and it will happen regardless of our personal preferences. I know this is a certainty. But managing growth is imperative, and we must think strategically and holistically about these issues. The ramifications of doing nothing, or acting timidly, are significant — and will likely result in Saline being surrounded by residential developments and commercial centers, and serviced by private utilities. This is an extremely unappealing scenario.
Further, if the right type of growth is encouraged, it can have a tangible economic benefit to the City of Saline. Lastly, all cities need to grow in thoughtful and strategic ways. If they do not, they often languish, services suffer, and residents’ quality of life inevitably declines.
Again: This is a big issue.
My office and City Council welcome feedback, and questions from the citizens we represent, and our residents should expect to hear more in the coming weeks.
I also plan to address this matter, and several other critical issues in my January State-of-the-City Address. That address will be delivered on January 6th, and I hope community members will read it and engage with me after if they have thoughts or ideas.
Happy holidays, best wishes, and good health for 2020.
References
- Brian Marl (Facebook Page).
- “City of Saline Departments and Elected Officials” Saline.
- Saline (home page).
- “Department of Water Production and Wastewater Treatment” Saline.
- “Saline Mayor Marl, Washtenaw County Commissioner Beeman talked priorities, concerns during ‘Coffee Hour’” Dell Deaton (December 14, 2019) Saline Journal.