Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

Although presented as a good deal for Linwood Township, town board supervisors unanimously declined an offer made by resident Sal Carlone, 6770 227th Ave., granting the township a road easement across the southern part of his land.

The easement would continue to 225th Ave., west to intersect with Typo Creek Drive (CR-85). The vote was 5-0 against accepting the easement offer.

There were conditions attached to the offer. The main one was that while the township would have the road easement, Carlone would retain ownership of the land and that land would count as part of the lots if he decides to develop the land in the future. He requested a decision at the April 11th meeting.

Attorney Gerald Randall recommended against the action, saying that to accept the proposal would not be consistent with ordinances. A developer can ìonly plat up to the road right-of-way,î Randall said. It would be different if he wanted to give the land instead.

More objections

Board Chair Mike Parker said ìhe (Carlone) changed his mind on the method of development.î

Supervisor Dave Tryon was ìnot in favor of bringing a concept before the board, by-passing the P&Z. Thatís the reason for the committee.î

Frank Kvidera, surveyor for the township, said that the tract or any development has to go before the Linwood Planning and Zoning Commission.

Brian McCullough, a member of the park board, pointed out some problems with creation of a new through route from Typo Creek Drive to West Martin Lake Road; among them increased traffic, need for more stop signs. He also requested a study of some sensitive wetlands, south of the proposed street.

McCullough lives on 225th Ave. and said many homes are only 40 feet from the road now and widening the street to the standard 66 feet would mean cars would pass very close to houses.

Eric Marleau, another resident whose home is on the same street, agreed with McCullough.

Another objection was that Carlone had no sketch plan or written proposal for the boardís consideration. McCullough also requested a traffic study on West Martin Lake Road.

Supervisor Mel Pfaffendorf said he ìwants (the township) to be consistent.î If the board accepted the offer and anything went wrong, ìthen it would be the townshipís responsibility,î he added.

Town resident and Fire Chief Joe Dolphy said that both the road and bridge committee and planning committee must look at the ìbigger picture.î The township ìcanít be working off easements like we did years ago. We should not be approaching this in a piece-meal fashion,î Dolphy said.

Carloneís plan

In July 2005 Carlone presented a preliminary sketch-plan for eight lots which was approved, but the township wanted him to pay for the paved extension of Danube Street south along the eastern border of the plat to 225th Ave. so there would be access for emergency vehicles, without requiring a turn-around.

Variances on some set-backs were also granted.

In November 2005 he brought a different proposal directly to the town board.

It included a cul-de-sac on the west end of 225th Avenue so that the 4.5-acre parcel located there could be built upon. The board gave him an opportunity to take this new proposal before planning and zoning before returning to the board.

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