150+ file suit over Holland Twp. truck stop

150+ file suit over Holland Twp. truck stop

HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM) -- More than 150 local residents have filed a lawsuit against Holland Township over plan to build a new truck stop. The group of citizens called One by One, claims the truck stop was approved at the intersection of Black River Road and Adams Street without enough feedback from the public.

The new truck stop is just around the corner, but residents like Debbi Hildenbrand are trying to put the brakes on a plan to build it. "For me, the immediate concerns were safety, were traffic."

Hildenbrand is with the citizens group One by One, which has raised about $10,000 to appeal the decision by Holland Township. More than 150 plaintiffs are named in the lawsuit against the township. Hildenbrand says they're trying to protect their residential area.

"Schools, churches, daycare right up the road, and it just didn't seem like the right fit for a truck stop," she said,

Truck traffic and safety concerns recently took center stage after a local teacher was killed at the Tulip City Truck stop in December 2013.

"It definitely played into it, it's unfortunate for those families they've had to go through that," said Hildenbrand.

Right now, the plan is for the company, Loves Travel Stops, to run the truck stop after it's built next spring.

Residents say the main basis for the lawsuit is how the process was handled. They say in February only people within 300 feet of the property knew of the truck stop proposal, and then in March when a final decision was made, no one from the public was allowed to speak at the township meeting.

"We would like a judge to look it over and make sure they took every step," said Hildenbrand.

"I would have not ever expected that this little town would have a large truck plaza of 13 acres," added Jennifer Buitenhuis

WZZM 13 asked Hildenbrand what is wrong with having a truck stop. "I definitely want people to understand that our One by One group is not against truckers. We don't think truck stops are bad, we think this location is bad for a truck stop."

One by One hopes to raise between $30,000 and $50,000 so a court can decide if the plan moves forward.

WZZM 13 did speak with a manager for development at Loves Travel Stops. He says the new truck stop will add 60 new jobs. The company will be investing $8 million to $10 million in the local economy. He also wants to make it clear that the location will not only be a truck stop, but also have two restaurants and a convenience store.

WZZM also reached out to township officials, but they say they don't comment on pending lawsuits.

Original Post By: http://ift.tt/RaBH24