MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - At the Meridian Township Board meeting on April 17th the Board discussed establishing a 60 foot maximum building height in addition to the limit on the number of building stories for Mixed Used Planned United Development (MUPUD) projects in areas of Downtown Okemos and Haslett.

The Board also discussed the minimum interior floor-to-ceiling height for residential and any upper floors to be reduced from 10 feet to 9 feet.

At the May 1st Township Board meeting, an action item on the agenda was to again discuss the proposed Zoning Amendment for new standards for redevelopment projects in downtown areas.

A resident spoke out at the meeting to discuss his concerns about the possibly height increase and how he is not in support of the zoning amendment.

Clerk Brett Dreyfus also expressed opposition of the Zoning Amendment.

Dreyfus said, "There is nothing wrong with having developer interest come in our direction, however that should not be confused with feeling like citizens across the township are clamoring for this kind of an amendment."

Dreyfus also says he wishes they would have taken more time to listen to citizens.

Dreyfus said, " Open minded is good expect when you are dealing with height and density issues that once we go in a certain direction it is hard to put the gene back in the bottle."

Township Manager Frank Walsh said, "I think we have a very crystal clear vision in terms of economic development" in reference to Downtown Haslett and Downtown Okemos.

The Board voted 6-1 to pass the proposed Zoning Amendment for the new standards for MUPUD projects in downtown areas.

The next Township Board meeting is on May 15th at 6pm.