Doing it the right way

Despite what some people might suggest, Residents Who Care (RWC) is NOT necessarily opposed to another grocery store being built in Forks Township.

What we are unwaveringly against is the changing of an ordinance to suit one developer which will result in the creation of long-term negative consequences in Forks Township.

Do you have any idea as to how much of your tax money has been spent in the last ten years to craft a comprehensive plan as well as to write and then re-write the township’s zoning laws? Why did the elected leaders bother to waste your hard-earned money and squander people’s time and effort if these formalized plans mean nothing?

If this change in the Employment Center (EC) District is approved to allow for this use, how much other land zoned for one purpose will be used for another?

To be very, very clear, there are areas within the township that make it permissible to build a grocery store. This area is called the Town Center (TC) District.

If our elected leaders vote to approve this change to zoning we can promise you two things without reservation.

1. This will be the first of many changes to come. Precedent will be set and developers will challenge the township in court if necessary to develop areas such as the Farmland Preservation (FP) District.
2. Within a few short years you will be demanding action to stem the tide of over-development including increased traffic, the loss of open space and the commercialization of Forks Township. More than likely, you will also strongly entertain the idea of moving again to another place for the same quality of life that you currently enjoy today in our township.

Many of you moved here for "the better life." We are not suggesting that anyone live like the Amish, no offense, but we do urge our elected representatives to follow the established zoning laws so we all have a decent quality of life for a long time to come.

Let's not open Pandora's Box. The stakes are too high to justify short term gain that will surely result in long term pain for all of us.