Letter to the Editor: Should Freedom Township follow its own rules?

This post expresses the views and opinions of the author(s) and not necessarily that of The Sun Times News management or staff.

The Michigan Townships Association website states that “In townships, the people are truly the government’s owners. Residents’ voices are heard.” I only wish that were true in Freedom Township where residents, sadly, are often ignored by elected officials. After regularly attending township board and planning commission meetings for nearly 20 years, I’ve seen numerous residents complain that our elected leaders have failed to return phone calls, emails, and, in some cases, even follow the township’s own laws.

That’s what’s happening now at Pleasant Lake where we have a major zoning issue that was entirely preventable – if township leaders had cared enough to closely pay attention. For background, the home right next door to mine was sold, and the owners decided to replace a 2,300-square foot two-story home on a 60x150-foot lakefront lot with a 4,400-square foot home. Building a larger home, of course, is any homeowner’s right, as long as the construction meets zoning regulations set by Freedom Township, the building regulations managed by the Western Washtenaw Construction Authority and the well and septic requirements of Washtenaw County.

For months, I and many other neighbors have warned the planning commission and township board, and the senior leaders at the WWCA, about the challenges of going large on a small lake lot. We even sent a message back in December 2021 voicing our worries after the old house was knocked down.

As construction continued throughout the spring and summer, however, the builder, Township Supervisor and Planner and the WWCA essentially told me the same thing. Go away. Don’t worry. All is well.

Finally, after enough neighbors raised questions about the home’s size and scale, the township board funded an independent survey to verify that all regulations are being followed. It took a Freedom of Information Act request to bring the results of that survey to light, and, guess what? The massive new home has serious problems, including several violations of township ordinances.

So what’s next? A responsible township government would do the right thing and enforce its local rules and regulations.

Beth Heuser

Freedom Township