Treasurer Julie Brixie said she wanted to prevent Costco from employing a “dark store” strategy that possibly could lead to a lower tax assessment. Instead, he invited the board to voice any concerns that could be taken into talks with East Lansing’s attorneys.

“We were unable to put one together in the time period we had,” Walsh said. However, township Manager Frank Walsh told the board that talks between the communities’ attorneys were continuing and that amended agreement had not been prepared. The Meridian board on Tuesday had planned to discuss an amended agreement with East Lansing - one that would allow for a rezoning needed for the store to happen - and possibly put it up for a vote at its next meeting on June 21. Top worries expressed at a township board meeting Tuesday night were landscaping, truck noise, traffic congestion and any potential tax reductions - resulting from either a “dark store” tax appeal or brownfield designation - that would cut into tax revenue.Ī 2001 agreement between the two communities allowed East Lansing to annex the property in exchange for Meridian Township collecting 5 mills of any taxes levied on the property.Ĭostco is proposing a 154,000-square-foot warehouse, plus a tire facility and fueling station that would be built on roughly half of the tract, with at least 500 feet of open space separating it from the homes to the east and south. Its precise location would be 5800 Park Lake Road, just south of Saginaw Street. Attorneys from both communities are still discussing the language both boards will eventually be asked to vote on. – Although a Costco Wholesale store is proposed for land that is technically in East Lansing, a 2001 annexation allows Meridian Township to sign off on any rezoning request for the $4 million project.Īnd Meridian officials are looking to take advantage of that by having their concerns incorporated into an agreement with East Lansing that would pave the way for rezoning of 64.7 acres that previously was home to the Four Winds Golf Course.

Meridian township wardcliff rezoning