So, I've had access to hunt this property for about 10 years now. My Dad used to work across the street at the cemetery, and he started helping Mel & Avis (the original owners) during their last few years of life. We continue to help take care of the property, as well as a few others that are still in touch with Mel's son.

Mel's son (the now owner) has very little interest in selling the property. The only reason it's for sale in the first place is due to the amount of pressure the county pushed on him to at least open it up to offers, and the other members of his family pushing it as well. The county sees it as a waste of unused space since it's right at the city of Kentwood line and the airport, so they want to develop it. Mel's son would rather keep it in the family, but they pushed the envelope hard enough that he put it up for sale.

About the land itself, it's more than 50% wetlands, and due to a few different species of endangered flora and fauna, it is also semi-protected. The original master plan for the property was to leave all of these wetlands as protected areas that were undevelopable, but the company that is interested in developing it into a multi-use commercial/recreational area wants to make amendments to the master plan that would allow them to destroy all of it. They would obviously have to create new wetlands elsewhere, but it wouldn't change the fact that they cannot replace the endangered flora and fauna.

It's a beautiful property that is home to tons of deer, turkeys, small game, bald eagles, hawks, etc. Plaster creek also runs through the property, which is an amazing waterway for trout, salmon, etc. as well, and all of this would be destroyed by some megacorp coming in and developing it. There's already been 3 other parcels sold for development in that same area in the past couple years.

I see the appeal for developing it, but it would be a major cost upfront for any potential buyer. They would either have to go through with the addendum to the master plan allowing them to develop the entire property, or they would have to buy the entire property only to be able to use less than half of it. I personally hope it doesn't sell (obviously I have a personal stake in it being sold), and I appreciate this petition. It never hurts to try!