Township takes resident to court over use of its land

By Mark Tower
May. 21, 2010    ·    5:12 p.m.

Ypsilanti Township will be taking one if its resident to court over the illegal use of township property along Ford Boulevard just south of Clark Road, owing to a decision by the board of trustees Tuesday.

The property in question is owned by the township but has been fenced off by an adjacent property owner and used to build and sell large barbecue grills, something Township Attorney Doug Winters said was not an appropriate use of township property.

Mike Radzik, police services administrator for the township, said they have made more than 12 attempts to get compliance from the property owner and are now not getting any response to their requests.

“We have run out of all other options,” Radzik said. “We need a court order.”

The property owner has built a fence and shed on the area assessed as township property, he said. There are also signs along Ford Boulevard advertising the business, and Radzik said there was some concern about the nuisance of people stopping along the busy roadway to transact business over the fence.

The proposal to take the property owner to court and request an order from the judge forcing the resident to remove the fence and building from township land met with unanimous approval from trustees.

Curfew extension goes into effect in June
After the second reading of a proposal to extend the curfew for minors in Ypsilanti Township to begin at 10 p.m. nightly, trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to enact the revised curfew ordinance, which will go into effect on June 19.

The new curfew, which Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo said will be consistent with the City of Ypsilanti's, will run from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. The previous curfew ordinance began at 11 p.m.

This change is part of a push by the township board to enhance safety and security in the township after attending neighborhood watch meetings and community forums in which residents expressed concerns about suspicious youth loitering in area neighborhoods.

The curfew applies to anyone in the township under the age of 18, though it does make exceptions for those who are out in relation to emergencies, employment, or with a parent or designated guardian. Penalties for curfew violations is $100 and/or 90 days in jail, and parents or guardians are held responsible if allowing the minor to be outside during curfew hours.

Public hearings set for tax exemption, inspection ordinance
Township residents are invited to give public comment on two issues at the 7 p.m. June 15 Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees meeting.

The first issue that will be discussed is a request from Integrating Sensing Systems, Inc. for an industrial facilities tax exemption certificate. A second public hearing will be held after the first for public review of a mobile home rental inspection ordinance the township is considering adopting.

All township meetings, as well as public hearings, are open to the public, and generally take place at 6 p.m. On the third Tuesday of each month at the Township Civic Center at 7200 South Huron River Drive. Special meetings are also routinely called with 24-hour notification.