The Fabius Township Planning Commission has gathered further input regarding Site Plan Review and Special Exception Use Permit requests from Three Rivers Metal Recyclers, LLC for the company’s proposed recycling facility on M-60 west of Three Rivers, but it’s unclear when the body will render a decision on the matter.
That’s the situation following another marathon meeting – nearly 3 ½ hours in length – during which more than a dozen letters were read, several citizens spoke, planning commission members commented and posed questions, and company owners Kevin Roberts and Dave Ritzer and their legal and consulting representatives spoke.
Stan Brueck, chairman of the Fabius Township Planning Commission, presided at the continuation of a public hearing on a proposed recycling facility on M-60 west of Three Rivers.
The December 7th session at the Fabius Township Hall was well-attended and contentious at times as issues related to plans by Three Rivers Metal Recyclers to locate a “metal and aggregate recycling facility for scrap and/or a salvage (junk) yard and storage facility for aggregate type materials “ on the property at 15016 West M-60, Three Rivers” were cited and debated.
As 10:30 approached, Planning Commission Chairman Stan Brueck made a motion to adjourn, but without a particular date for a third session to continue the process. Brueck noted the upcoming holidays and said, “Both of us have some, probably, work to do on this so I’m not sure on a date at this point.”
James Marquardt of Lewis Reed & Allen P.C., the Kalamazoo-based law firm representing Roberts and Ritzer, said, “Mr. Chair, we will work with the board to find a commonly convenient, acceptable date.” In doing so, he pressed Brueck to provide a list in writing of comments, objections and items that are considered deficient in the proposed site plan – “in sufficient time in advance of that next meeting” so the site plan can be amended.
Brueck said he would have to consult with the township’s attorney, John Lorhstorfer, and added, “The only problem is, I still have not been able to ask questions yet and rebut on some of the comments that were made.” Marquardt responded by saying, “Nor have I” and indicated he had “a nice pad full” of such questions. Brueck said, “I’m not sure that would be feasible until we get the rest of all of our questions done.” He also noted that Lohrstorfer will be serving as a speaker at the Michigan Townships Association’s 59th Annual Educational Conference & Expo in January.
Attorney James Marquardt represented Kevin Roberts and Dave Ritzer, owners of Three Rivers Metal Recyclers, LLC during the meeting.
Brueck said, “I’ve been working on this night and day trying to get everything together ” and added, “It’s been the hardest project that Fabius Township probably has ever had.”
Marquardt reiterated his request for comments in writing in advance of the next meeting. (James Marquardt audio clip – 1:06)
The meeting adjourned at 10:26 p.m.
The December 7th session followed the planning commission’s initial special meeting on the subject, a November 21st session that went on for more than three-and-a-half hours.
For additional insights regarding this topic, see the article by Rick Cordes in the December 8th edition of the Three Rivers Commercial-News: Fabius metal recycling plan scrutinized
