GREEN GARDEN TOWNSHIP — The Green Garden Township Planning Commission has established a three-step process for developing the township’s new land use plan, with public input opportunities scheduled throughout spring, Planning Commission representative Mark Sarkisian announced at the March board meeting.

“First is getting the survey hyperlink out to the Vedette, Green Garden website, a Facebook page, and possible postcard mailings,” Sarkisian explained. “The second step is conduct two smaller focus groups to review the survey with the company hired. The third is an open house for all residents towards the end of May.”

The comprehensive approach aims to gather widespread community input on future development preferences, with specific dates to be announced later. Supervisor Murday thanked the Plan Committee for their work on the project, which began after the board approved hiring Houseal Lavigne Associates in January.

Sarkisian also alerted the board to two significant potential development projects that could impact the township. A proposed 280-acre data center project “is looming but has not heard anything,” according to Sarkisian. Additionally, he reported that someone is “looking to change large farmland from A-1 to E-2, North of Dralle, East of 88th, North of Erinwood Subdivision.”

The farmland rezoning request is still in the pre-application phase, with Sarkisian noting he “did not have much information except there is a pre-application” and promising to “keep following” the situation.

Trustee Newton inquired whether the Planning Commission would meet in April. Sarkisian confirmed there would be a meeting but clarified it would focus on discussing the Land Use Plan rather than addressing any formal matters requiring commission action.

The timing of the land use planning process coincides with increasing development pressures in the township, including multiple solar farm proposals that have prompted concerns from officials and residents. In response to questions about solar projects, Trustee Newton requested “a new detailed map of what proposed solar is out there.”

Trustee Dietz later mentioned an upcoming “solar farm meeting coming up for 30 acres North end of Possibility Place surrounded by Waterford, Canterbury, and Tuscan Hills,” noting the meeting “is not open to residents only government agencies.”