Eaton County panel recommends three PA 116 farmland preservation agreements covering 269.15 acres

A county planning-related panel recommended approval of three PA 116 farmland and open-space preservation applications, covering a combined 269.15 acres in Calamillo Township.

Planning staff told the panel the applications were submitted by Dot Bridal and Jacqueline Burkett and request 20-year agreements for parcels totaling 269.15 acres, of which 232 acres are reported as cultivated. "They are submitted by Dot Bridal and Jacqueline Burkett for a total of 269.15 acres located in Calamillo Township, specifically Sections 23 and 27. The total acres cultivated is 232 acres," a planning staff member said during the meeting.

The staff report said the parcels are zoned limited agricultural and designated as agricultural preservation in the county master plan. The report added that surrounding properties are likewise zoned agricultural and designated for agricultural preservation, supporting single-family homes and farmland.

After staff presentation, a member moved to recommend the three PA 116 applications to the Eaton County Board of Commissioners; another member supported the motion. When asked if the applications met the PA 116 standards, staff said they did. Members present responded "Aye," and the chair announced the motion carried.

The panel did not record individual roll-call votes in the transcript. The motion was recorded as a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners; the panel did not adopt the PA 116 agreements itself.

The staff packet and minutes identify the parcels as meeting the statutory thresholds for PA 116 applications (minimum acreage and percentage in cultivation) and state there are no structures on the properties, which the applicants requested be covered by 20-year agreements.