UPDATE: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Environmental Commission did a walk-through of the site on March 19 in order to give the Planning Commission a recommendation before their next meeting.

ORIGINAL STORY: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - At the recent Township Board and Planning Commission meetings, officials used certain language when they described the process of building a new fire station in Meridian Township. So what exactly is a Section 61 Review and why must it be done?

Mark Kieselbach, Director of Community Planning and Development said, "What Section 61 Review basically says is if you're going to construct a public building it needs to be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission."

Kieselbach added that the Section 61 Review isn't as specific as a Special Use Permit. It is a broader look at the site.

"It looks at location, character and extent," Kieselbach said.

The Section 61 Review for a new fire station at the proposed location, east of Okemos Road and south of Central Park Drive, will be before the Planning Commission at their next meeting. But before they make a decision, they've asked for the Environmental Commission's input about any concerns they have relative to using this location as a fire station.

Planning Commission Chair Patricia Herring Jackson said it's important for the Planning Commission to get as much information as they can in order to help them make a decision. However, they have yet to see an analysis made by the Environmental Commission.

She said, "If, in fact, the Planning Commission decides that they cannot or will not rule on the Section 61 Review at the same meeting, then we can ask for a delay to see the report."

"If the Planning Commission approves it, then it's done," Kieselbach said. "If the Planning Commission does not approve it, then the Board, because they are the legislative body (the one that has control over this project) can override the Planning Commission's denial of it."

The next Planning Commission meeting will take place on March 24. There will be a public hearing held for the Section 61 Review. The Planning Commission's decision will determine what happens at the Township Board's April 1 meeting, regarding the new fire station at the proposed site.

The Special Use Permit for the building itself is expected to be an action item at the Township Board's April 1 meeting.