Highland Conservancy

FROM FIELDS TO FOREST By Katheryn Krupa

Over 40 people showed up on Sunday, October 11th to plant trees along White Lake Road near Eagle Road in Highland as part of the Faith in Action initiative at Highland United Methodist Church.  Working with the Highland Conservancy and other local groups, the church set out to "be the church" by planting trees, picking up trash from the Huron River and helping out throughout the community.  It was exciting to see little children work alongside moms and dads to regenerate a healthy ecosystem from land that had previously been destroyed by a developer.  The children learned the importance of planting a variety of pines, oaks and acorns and how we need to be good stewards of our planet.  Kid's church teacher Mary Lloyd taught them the names of the seedlings and acorns, then showed them how to plant and water the trees.  Over 2,000 acorns and over a hundred saplings were planted, mulched and watered.  Wow!  Thanks to all who turned out to make a difference.

Senior Citizen Complex again proposed for Highland by Katheryn Krupa

 

On September 17, this reporter was in attendance at the Planning Commission meeting when Cleve King returned requesting rezoning of his 120 acre property along with an additional 60 acres off  Susan Drive and Tipsico Lake Rd.  King stated he plans to provide a “continuum of care” in the complex not to exceed 225 units.  The current configuration he presented includes 76 condos, 180 apartments, 150 units in assisted living and 75 units in a nursing home.  Previously, the township did a micro-analysis of the area and recommended leaving the zoning unchanged for the area.  Now, King has done his homework changing his overall plan to include lower density, access in and out of the complex via a road through Susan Drive to Tipsico Lake Road, and additional planting of trees providing more buffer for adjacent properties including Dunham Lake Estates.  King is filing his request under a provision called “conditional zoning” which means the zoning is approved conditioned upon specific requirements for the development that are worked out and agreed to ahead of time.  Some possibilities include: requiring financial guarantees, stipulating specific areas as green space, or requiring phased development.  At the meeting, local residents voiced concerns about the impact the development would have on nearby low-lying homes already prone to flooding, the need to protect as much mature woodlands as possible, inclusion of quality open space not just wetlands, need for a provision to keep if from being sold and then turned into a trailer park or apartment complex, and units being placed too close to the lot lines of residents along Dunham Road. A sewer treatment plant is included in the plan which could have both a positive and negative impact on the area (it might encourage more development depending on its eventual size and capacity and what stipulations might end up being made).  King noted that there is the potential that nearby Dunham Lake residents couldhook into the sewer, depending, again, on how everything plays out. 

For a copy of the preliminary layout plan, click on this link: http://www.highlandtwp.com/uploaded_pics/pdf-20091008153542.pdf

There will be a public hearing on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.  In addition, concerned citizens are welcome to mail in their comments or concerns to the Planning Commission, or attend upcoming Planning Commission meetings.  For upcoming agendas (or minutes) of meetings, go to the township website at www.highlandtwp.com and click on Government, then click on Planning Commission, etc.

Natural Features Ordinance for Highland

The Highland Township Planning Commission has been reviewing and revising the Natural Features Preservation regulations at recent meetings.  One of the things our Highland residents treasure most is the natural beauty of this area.  We are fortunate to have an abundance of high quality lakes, rivers and parkland.  In the future as developers come in to create new subdivions, it is important to protect the natural features of each site through our ordinances and site plan review regulations.  This creates a win/win situation.  New residents often prefer a site with natural features and mature trees to a site that has been clear cut, bulldozed, stripped of top soil and flattened into a wasteland.  Building sites with intact natural features are more desireable and the developer benefits as such sites command a higher price.  Such regulations do not impact individual landowners who still maintain their individual rights as protected under our current ordinances.       

Earth Day Family Festival by Katheryn Krupa

Sunday, April 19, 2009
Earth Friendly Family Fun Festival
Carls Family YMCA, 300 Family Drive, Milford, MI
12:00pm - 4:00pm
Carls Family YMCA and the Huron Valley Green Team offer the Earth Friendly Family Fun Festival featuring environmental learning stations, nature adventures, unique and inspiring GREEN arts and activities for everyone! You are invited to create Drummunity with Lori Fithian, join creative Energy Dance facilitator Irena Nagler, or complete our community connection and celebration with a joyful Spiral Dance finale! The Highland Conservancy will have a booth with beautiful tame snakes for children to hold and enjoy.  We will have additional information available about the status of the nature park, upcoming conservancy activities and events.  For more information please call (248) 887-3611 or email jenlorakova@aol.com or bigskyfarm@gmail.com.  If it rains, the event will still be held indoors in the Y.

Highland's Community Garden by Katheryn Krupa

This year will be the second year for Highland's public community gardens.  It is open to any Highland resident or relative who wishes to plant a garden but might not have the space or sun.  Exciting news for this year is the donation of a huge truckload full of compost that has been offered to enrich the soil.  We already have a tractor to till it into the soil so now all we need is someone with a small dump truck or a way to move it to our garden - could that be you? Call Katheryn 248-887-4643 for more info. This garden is an outreach service that originally developed via the green team at Highland United Methodist Church.  Some of the food grown in the garden is donated to Community Share (over at Apollo) and other outreach programs.  Interest has grown as people realize this is a great way to stretch a tight budget, eat healthy and get the kids outside and more connected to the earth.  You are invited to come stake out your family's plot and help get the land ready for May planting.  Join us Saturday, April 18th, 9:00 am to help out. Just park in the church parking lot, 850 W. Livingston Road (next to Highland Elementary) and the garden is on the right, just past the parsonage as you turn into the church driveway.  Bring gloves, garden tools, and your children.  Mine helped move rocks last year (albiet as slowly as snails!)

Vegetable Gardening 101 by Katheryn Krupa

There will be an excellent vegetable gardening workshop put on by the Highland Beautification Committee this coming Tuesday, March 24th 6:30pm at the Highland Township Senior Center.  The speaker will be Janet Macunovich and she will give you some excellent tips and information.  So, if you are interested in planting a successful vegetable garden, just drop by (tickets are $5).  If you would like more information, contact Marie Hewitt at 248-887-5270.  I'll see you there!

Highland Conservancy Sponsors Earth Day Poster Contest by Katheryn Krupa

The Highland Conservancy is sponsoring a poster contest for elementary age students within Huron Valley.  Students who are in fifth grade or below can submit a poster promoting earth day.  The theme is "Finding green solutions".  Entries must be original and created on 11x17 inch paper or posterboard using marker, crayon, colored pencil or paint. The first place winner will win a $50 gift card and second place will win $25 gift card.  The conservancy has participated in Huron Valley Earth Day festivities since its inception.  We encourage everyone to mark your calendars to attend this family friendly event which will take place Sunday, April 19th from noon till 4 at the Milford YMCA.   For more information on earth day,visit the HVED website: www.hvedf.org  If your child wishes to submit an Earth Day poster for the contest, please email: artfingers@comcast.net or call 248-887-4643 for more information.  Deadline for entries is March 1, 2009.  Entries should be mailed to: Highland Conservancy, 205 W. Livingston Road, Highland, MI 48357.

Food Banks Need Help by Katheryn Krupa

Community Share, Gleaners and other food banks are reporting a 25% increase of folks in need. This past summer the Highland Conservancy worked with Highland United Methodist Church to start a community garden.  We grew organic food that was then donated to area food banks.  Now we are urging you to search your cupboards and see what canned goods or food (no glass) you can donate.  Toiletries and healthy foods are especially needed such as peanut butter, canned tuna, beef stew, soup, vegetables or fruit, pancake mix, rice, cereal, noodles, nuts, sugar, juice or flour.  Highland United Methodist Church in Highland will be taking food over at least once a month throughout the year.  So please drop off a donation there, or we can come pick up food donations anytime: Call Katheryn at 248-887-4643.  You can also drop off your donations directly to:  Gleaners Community Food Bank at 5924 Sterling Drive, Howell, MI 48843 or Community Share located at the former Apollo Elementary School on 2029 N. Milford Road, north of M59.  Thank you for your help!

HIGHLAND UPDATES PARKS AND REC MASTER PLAN by Katheryn Krupa

On Oct. 21st, there was a strategy session for Highland Township's Parks and Recreation Master Plan.  There was an excellent turn out and folks met to work on goals and give input to update Highlands Parks and Rec Master Plan.  The Parks Committee is seeking additional input from all Highland Township citizens.  There is an important survey they are asking all Highland residents to fill out so that they can more accurately assess resident's concerns and needs re: park facilities, bike paths, purchasing land for preservation of open spaces, and other parks and recreation interests.  Please take a moment to fill out the survey (and/or make your comments and suggestions).  Click here for survey:

http://www.highlandtwp.com/News/Recreation+Master+Plan+Update-271.html

If that doesn't work you can go to www.highlandtwp.com and click on "What's happening" under the Recreation Master Plan Update section, then click on more and then click on survey.  WE HOPE YOU WILL VOTE TO SUPPORT THE PRESERVATION OF HIGHLAND'S OPEN SPACES. As always, we welcome your comments here on this blog!

 

Katheryn Krupa

Highland Conservancy

www.highlandconservancy.org

HIGHLAND NATURE PARK SELL OFF SCHEMED By Jim Lloyd

The Highland Conservancy has sponsored efforts to turn an undeveloped 25 acre Highland Township Park into a community Nature Park. On June 25 the concept was proposed to the Township Board for approval. The Board asked for a public tour of the park land and a Public Hearing on the proposal at their July 23 meeting. The park tour was well attended and a few resident's concerns were registered.
The concept for the Nature Park is for a low impact natural park featuring native Michigan plants and that will be protected as a park forever.The park land is located just to the north of the cell phone tower near the Township Library.  An informal inventory of the property revealed a surprising number of native plant species already existing on the ground at this site. Much to our surprise, at the Board Public Hearing on July 23 there was significant opposition to the plan voiced by several members of the Highland Downtown Development Authority (DDA). They want to leave the park land up for grabs (unprotected) in the future to allow for future annexation to the DDA district, rezoning and sale as commercial property.

The Highland Conservancy is strongly against the idea of selling off park land. This land belongs to the residents of the Township and we believe that it is a very high priority for the quality of life in the community. When park land is lost, it is unlikely that it will be replaced. This park land is particularly
valuable because of its location within walking distance of  the Township Civic Center properties and to the Highland Station community.We would like to hear what you think about this proposal. Do you want your park land preserved forever or do you want to leave it unprotected and at the mercy of  some future Board who may have a change of heart?  These comments will be important input to the Highland Township Board who have not yet adopted the Nature Park concept proposal. Leave your comments. Your identity will be protected.  To post a comment below, you do not need to include a URL, just your email (which will be kept private).