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Council approves sale of Girl Scout parcels to Allegan Development Company for $100,000 amid resident concerns about traffic and access
Summary
Council voted to approve a purchase and development agreement selling the city’s Girl Scout parcels to Allegan Development Company for $100,000; the developer will donate part of the project to the Allegan Conservation District for a learning lab. Neighbors raised concerns about traffic flow, private road access and selection process; one councilmember cast a recorded no vote on entry/exit concerns.
Council approved a purchase and development agreement to sell two city parcels commonly known as the Girl Scout property to Allegan Development Company for $100,000.
City staff presented a revised agreement that included technical edits requested by the developer and clarified that the buyer’s site plan may be administratively amended to conform with planning commission approvals. The sale includes provisions that the buyer will donate the lower level of the project to the Allegan Conservation District to establish a learning lab.
During the public hearing and comment period, residents asked how the sale price was determined and whether sidewalks adjacent to the site would remain under city control; staff said the sidewalks shown on the conceptual plan would remain and that internal connectors and additional sidewalks are required as part of the development. Neighbors also raised concerns that portions of nearby roads remain private and questioned the developer selection process and public notice during due diligence.
Council discussed traffic flow and whether Walcott and nearby streets could handle two‑way traffic. Staff said the city’s contracted traffic engineer evaluated the layout and found the existing street widths adequate for two‑way traffic. After public comment, council voted to approve the agreement; one councilmember recorded a no vote citing concerns about the project's entry and exit points.
Why it matters: the sale transfers city‑owned parcels into private redevelopment with conditions intended to improve walkability and provide a community learning space, but neighbors raised process and traffic concerns that council flagged during its deliberation. The agreement will proceed to planning commission for site plan review and permitting steps.
