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This 24/7 facility could see arrival/departure of 200 trucks and 200 cars daily, has fuel pumps for 5 trucks, 12 cars and 2 RVs. It would allow parking for 81 trucks, 95 cars and 11 RVs. Its 10,000 sq.ft. structure would house a 145-seat restaurant, convenience store, drivers' lounge, showers and self-serve laundry.

Laketown Alliance for Neighborly Development

LAND is a group of citizens committed to keeping our beautiful lakeshore environment a uniquely wonderful place to live, work and visit.

We value the natural and rural open spaces, quiet charm, historic character and interesting locally-owned business, which attract tourists and residents alike.

That's why we're against plans for a Flying J truck plaza at Exit 41.

As of early January, LAND's contributing membership had grown beyond 100 individuals (including company and condo association memberships) and continues to expand. We urge all area residents and those who enjoy visiting here to return the printable membership form found by clicking on JOIN US.

P.O. Box 244
Saugatuck, MI 49453-0244

Our Immediate Mission

We know Laketown's portion of the Blue Star corridor is planned for commercial development and agree that it would be good for the entire area. The question is whether a Flying J Truck Plaza -- with its size, noise, congestion, glare, hazards, pollutants and infrastructure stress -- is the right development in a community that is treasured for heritage preservation, blessed with one of the finest dune beaches anywhere, known as "The Art Coast of Michigan" and thereby rewarded with tourism that contributes $67 million annually to our local economy.

Folks who live here have worked hard to make this one of the bright spots in Michigan and one of the top vacation destinations in the country. So we believe our voices deserve to be heard in answering that question.

So far, the Laketown Township Planning Commission has done a great job of protecting our interests. But Flying J is an $11 billion private company that doesn't think local ordinances should stop them and doesn't care who suffers from their actions. That's why LAND was formed to help the Commission identify issues and gather information needed to fully assess Flying J's plans vs. Laketown zoning standards and confidently deny Flying J's request for a Special Use Permit.

To that end, LAND committees are researching and recommending independent studies that we believe the Commission should request Flying J to pay for and provide. Subjects include the impacts that the proposed truck stop will have on:

• Nearby businesses, our broader local economy and the tourism it depends upon.
• Traffic congestion, accidents and safety of joggers and bicyclists.
• Road/bridge widening, street lighting, traffic signaling and ongoing maintenance.
• Pollution from fumes, diesel soot, water runoff, septic field effluent and underground fuel-tank leakage.
• Disruption from noise, vibration and night lighting
• Damage to natural drainage and wetlands.
• Added burdens on our police, fire, hazmat and healthcare emergency response agencies.
• Crime (theft, drug-dealing, abduction, prostitution)
• Residential property devaluation and tax increases.

If you share our concerns for these issues,
this LAND is your LAND

Laketown Township Planning Commission Meetings
First Wednesday every month, 7pm

Laketown Township Hall
4338 Beeline Rd.
South of 144th Ave. & 62nd St.
616-335-3050
See a map here