January 15th, 2012

WILLIAMSTON - A farm equipment dealer has cleared some final hurdles in a plan to move its headquarters and local dealership into Williamston's industrial park.

Last week, the City Council endorsed a rezoning request that will allow D&G Equipment Inc. to move into the former Accubite and J America site at 2 Industrial Park Drive, just east of N. Williamston Road.

The rezoning from I-1 (light manufacturing) to C-2 (general business) would allow the John Deere dealership to sell and display equipment inside and outside the building. The Council unanimously approved a first reading of the zoning amendment on Jan. 9, with final approval likely to come Jan. 23.

"This would be a huge asset for the community," Councilman Ben Stiffler said.

On Jan. 3, the Planning Commission voted, 5-2, to recommend the zoning change and unanimously approved a special use permit, contingent on the rezoning. D&G has seven stores in the mid-Michigan, including a dealership on East Grand River Avenue in Leroy Township. The company plans to consolidate its headquarters and the East Grand River dealership at the 17-acre industrial park site. The building and parking lot will remain as they are, with landscaping and signage the only changes, city officials said.

Large equipment will be displayed on the south side of the property and small equipment in front of the building, a company representative told the Council. The company plans to add more screening on the south side of the property, the representative said. The planning board reviewed three site plans for the property before endorsing the project on Jan. 3.

Some commissioners were concerned about how the property might be used later and wanted conditions to the rezoning. City resident Terri Campbell said she's concerned about large equipment being displayed so close to North Williamston Road. She also said there should be a larger buffer zone between the downtown area and the residential properties to the south and west. In its Jan. 9 meeting, the Council also agreed to spend up to $10,000 to fix potential safety problems at the Community Center.

A cursory inspection in December, prompted by a minor fire in a light fixture last fall, found serious electrical and other problems, including holes in fire walls, city officials said. City staff said they would arrange for a more complete inspection and address the electrical problems as soon as possible.

~ Written By: Ken Palmer, LSJ

Lansing State Journal

 

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