Guest post: Jamie Lynn Smith
Last night the PC met and Kayt MacMaster and Dana Ramus were sworn is as new members.
The agenda was blank.
The secretary, Pam Fowler was a no show.
Chairman Barlow, John Schlicker and Julie Powers attended. Renee LaVerne (acting parliamentarian) attended and swore in new members. Adam Brege was a guest.
Consumers power rep Pete Wykoff spoke during public comment and stated consumers was disappointed with the special land use permit denial but CE was committed to working with the township to permit the 26 MW addition to Gustin Solar Project and would re-apply for it again by the end of the month.
Several citizens spoke voicing concern over the project. Community members stated they would like to see the board work with the community on the project and be transparent with the process. I specifically asked why my request to be added to the agenda was ignored and got no response at all. I asked what the procedure was to get added to the agenda and again got no response. I handed out resolution 2025-03 to board members and asked chairman Barlow to explain it. Renee LaVerne stated I was not allowed to ask him any questions. I talked about the resolution and Public comment ended.
Chair person Macmaster and Ramus did bring discussion on the expiration date of the sapling solar project based on the resolution 2025-03 that extended the permit to 2030 and gave developers the latitude to change the project how ever they wanted within the footprint of the project, to which Adam Brege and Renee Laverne responded that the township attorney had approved that resolution and it was fine and that the sapling project was “done with.”
Macmaster brought up the letter from August 2025 from CE asking for a different expiration date of 12 months from September 2, 2025 and that if the ordinance was actually followed would end on September 2, 2026, to which Brege and LaVerne said they had never seen that letter even though the PC had voted to approve it. So there continues to be confusion on what the end date for the sapling permit is.
Brege commented that work had already started on Sapling to which Macmaster questioned what is defined as substantial work in the ordinance and raised that question.
Ramus brought up the idea that the board should draft a moratorium.
Brege suggested the PC rewrite the master plan.
MacMaster made a motion to seek township legal council on the expiration date of the Sapling permit and Ramus asked that legal counsel review drafting a 12 month moratorium to the motion. Barlow seconded the motion, roll call vote, all were in favor. The motion should be put before the township board as LaVerne noted the board has to approve expenditures for legal council.
The second public comment period brought more concerns from citizens about planning as a community for industrial development on agricultural land and the idea that the entire county should be looked at as a whole instead of each township individually.
If I’ve forgotten anything please add it in for me. I’m just recounting from memory what happened. I didn’t take notes but I can publish the notes if I request them.
Gustin township does not make Planning Commission meeting minutes available on the website and they absolutely should do this.
I applaud the board for discussing the topics brought forward. This is a change for the better.
Editor note: Thank you for allowing us to share Jamie. 🙏🏻
