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Resident urges board to scrutinize Willow Run MOU, says FOIA request was denied
Summary
A local resident told the board he was denied a copy of a July 2024 MOU with Bluffton related to the Willow Run tract and urged the district to avoid appearing to facilitate controversial road projects; he also questioned property-exchange guarantees and conservation status of the land.
Mike Hagan addressed the board during the first public-comment period to report that his November FOIA request for a July 2024 memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Town of Bluffton concerning potential school facilities at the Willow Run tract was denied on the grounds that the property's closing date was not complete. Hagan said the MOU relates to the purchase and expressed concern the district could be seen as "facilitating" the construction of two roads that many residents oppose.
Hagan urged the district to ensure any exchange of property with the town protects development rights and that proceeds or rights returned the district's value on resale. He also asked the board to verify whether conservation land in question is actually in a trust or held for resale. "You do not want to appear that you were facilitating the building of those roads in connection with the school," Hagan said, and he asked the board to scrutinize guarantees that land would be used for affordable housing.
Why it matters: The exchange or purchase of land adjacent to neighborhoods can trigger concerns about traffic, land use and developer expectations. The resident raised transparency and FOIA-process questions that the board may need to address.
Next steps: The board did not take action at the meeting; staff should clarify FOIA determinations, provide the MOU or explain legal constraints, and report back on the conservation status and terms of any property-exchange agreements.
