Township approves more lot splits
Dundee Township Board members approved a change to the zoning ordinance, allowing for more lot splits on 40-acre parcels.

Now, for every 40 acres, property owners will be allowed three splits, with a minimum lot size of two acres. Only 190 feet of frontage is required per lot.

Previously, owners of 40-acre parcels were allowed only one split in an effort to try to preserve farm land. The one-split rule was in effect for only one year.

Prior to that change, landowners were allowed three lot splits with minimum lot sizes of 10 acres each for the 40 acre parcel. There also was a requirement of at least 300 feet of frontage for each lot.
“The Planning Commission recommended the change to three lot slits and two-acre parcels, because that way it saves a lot of farm acres. People don’t have to buy a 10 acre parcel and let seven of it go to weeds, just to build a house,” said Trustee John Williams.

Some public discussion indicated that some people want more lot splits, and even smaller lots.

“This is a huge improvement over what we have now. All of these documents can be reworked and changed,” said Mr. Williams. He indicated that people could have attended the Planning Commission meetings and let their preferences be known.

One person wanted to know how they can split their 10-acre parcel. Trustees said that 10 acres in an agricultural district cannot be split without a variance approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The board announced that the Monroe County Drain Commission has called for the cleaning, widening, deepening and straightening of both the Charles Johnson Drain and the Koster Drain. Property owners along the drains will be specially assessed to pay for the projects.

A very lengthy discussion was held about the township’s requirement that special assessment fees be paid in full by those being added to an existing water district.

One couple is building a house, but this house was not included in the original water district or assessment, even though the assessment district has not yet been finalized. They said they cannot come up with the $17,000 in cash. Of the three water taps bestowed in this year’s water district lottery, two have had to back out because of this requirement.

Township board members are to discuss the matter with the bond counsel and attorney to see what can be done to lessen the burden on those new to the existing water districts.

In response to public discussion, Township Supervisor Joanna Uhl said the township voted to go with R&R Lawncare for cemetery mowing at the previous meeting because the other bidder had not included other commercial references in a cover letter, but only inside the sealed bid.

“We couldn’t check the references within the sealed bid,” said Mrs. Uhl. She also said that the township had heard no complaints about R&R Lawncare.

A member of the public suggested that in the future the township could give one of the cemeteries to one company, and another to the low bidder, and get direct comparison of services and fees. Mrs. Uhl thanked him for his input but did not comment on the suggestion.

Township Building Inspector Ed Baranowski was compensated $200 for leading the Clean Up Day activity. Nearly 400 people took advantage of the opportunity to get rid of unwanted bulky items for free. It was noted that Mr. and Mrs. John Nyquist brought in two trailers full of trash they had picked up themselves from the roadside ditches along Saline River Road.

Trustee Williams noted that the Planning Commission will meet Wednesday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. for a public hearing on a proposed special use for a car lot at the M-50 Truck, Tractor and Auto location on M-50.