Public input sometimes emotional at conservancy district hearing  

By Jeff Kenney, Citizen editor
Culver Citizen 11 Feb 2010 pg 1-2

It was standing room only last Friday at the public input portion of the Natural Resources Commission hearing – held at the Lions Club depot in Culver – on establishment of a proposed conservancy district on land owned by Aker Properties, LLC. There, developer Gary Aker and contractor Alan Collins hope to build the Maxinkuckee Village PUD.

The majority of citizens making statements to the Commission were opposed to the project, though several people also expressed support for it. Among these were Bill Girten, a friend for 35 years of the Akers who said he is certain all permits and procedures will be abided by in the project, which he said will be “first class.”

Tom Flynn of Plymouth praised the Akers’ environmental commitment. “They would rather lose a limb than hurt this lake,” Flynn added.

Craig Schrimsher of Culver noted job opportunities are “hard to come by” in the area and expressed support for the project’s employment possibilities.

Of the residents expressing opposition to the project, Chuck Blazevich of Harbor Condominiums in Culver suggested promises made as to adhering to environmental standards in construction of the PUD are difficult to enforce. “This whole process reminds me of a public election,” he said. “Politicians will say whatever they want, but after they’re elected they will do what ever they want.”

Blazevich also discussed specifics of litigation and disputes against contractor Alan Collins at the previous day’s hearing.

Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Council director Kathy Clark read an emotional statement noting her organization “has worked for 28 years to remove septic systems from the shores of Lake Maxinkuckee (and) it’s extremely upsetting that now...someone would consider giving anyone the right to build a septic plant right on the lake shore.”

Carol Zeglis, of LMEC support organization the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund, described “many, many years of long, tiring work” since the establishment of the organization and the resultant improvement of the lake. She said it’s “impossible to know” if the septic system proposed for the Maxinkuckee Village project will suffice to protect the adjacent Kline wetlands and the lake, adding concern over the lack of space at the site to create a reserve area for affluent overflow.

Tom Sams described living on the lake for over 60 years and the “enchanting” status of the Kline wetland area during his childhood. He said it “doesn’t seem logical” that further development could be allowed in the area.

East Shore resident Katy Lewellen, who traveled from Arizona to attend the hearing, said she is concerned about the infrastructure at the site and what she feels is a lack of sufficient study of the impact there.

Several residents, including Rich West, Kathy Berindei, and Elizabeth Albright, raised the issue of dangers derived from increased boat traffic on the lake with the addition of 47 families at the site.

Dick Dugger of the south shore said during the formation of the Southwest Conservancy District in that area, a health officer told committee members, “if you’re anywhere near a municipal (sewer) treatment plant, don’t even think of building a private one.”

Resident Carol Saft described a childhood spent at Culver’s public beach. “There’s a town here that is also serviced by this lake,” she said. “It’s an important part of this town to have this lake. “I heard yesterday a lot of, ‘I don’t know.’ I think it’s time to step back and find answers to those questions....there’s a developer here who has had litigations in past developments. There’s an old adage, ‘Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on us.’”

Loyal Wilson said the economic health of the Culver community is tied to the lake. “Any short-term (employment) gain from this project would be way offset by the economic damage done” should the lake be harmed by the proposed development