“We need to do it right because, let’s face it, when your basement fills up with sewage, you will not call the developer. You will call the township.”
That’s Georgetown Township Trustee Gary Veldink, speaking at the March 9 board meeting, in favor of a moratorium on new development proposals for the next eight months.
Township leaders want time to study how future growth could strain roads, water, sewer, and fire systems.
Board Clerk Kelly Kuiper says a moratorium is premature.
“I just don’t think we have the appropriate data to say that it’s the right decision today and more importantly that it’s the right decision to enact as an emergency moratorium without the proper public notice.”
Several developers opposed the moratorium, raising concerns about increased costs.
Mick McGraw is with Eastbrook Homes, currently building several developments in the township.
“So, we can continue to support the roughly 100 employees and 600 contractors that rely on steady a stream of work from us and to have a big gap in that would be injurious to a lot of people that rely on us for employment and putting food on the table.”
The board voted unanimously to approve the moratorium which will not affect preliminarily approval projects or property owners building a single-family home.
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