The recent deal to share 1,056 acres in Bath Township with East Lansing was not as much of a voluntary agreement as it was an unwilling submission. Bath Township never really had a choice in the matter, and was strong-armed into a land-share agreement.
The land, which includes Melrose Apartments, 16789 Chandler Road, was set for an Aug. 6 ballot initiative to determine if the city should annex it. The deal, known as a 425 agreement, voids that initiative and results in an added $100,000 in tax revenue per year to the city, based on the land’s current developments, and nearly $70,000 to the township. If annexed, the city would have received $190,000 a year in new tax revenue.
Both the township and the city will have a role in deciding future developments in the area and supplying services.
But the township never should have been forced into settling on a deal to keep from losing all rights to the land.
And if annexation laws continue to give cities an unfair advantage over townships, Bath Township could soon see more land become swallowed up and completely absorbed by the city.
Business administration and pre-law senior Jonathan Rosenthal, one of the original petitioners for the land’s annexation, seems to have his eyes set on capturing more even land for the city.
He said the Village at Chandler Crossings is on his radar.
“I still have a few tricks left up my sleeve,” he told The State News.
But there shouldn’t be any tricks involved in this situation.
Rosenthal and others have yet to prove Bath Township can’t provide essential services to students moving north of the city’s border. That hasn’t stopped him from moving forward with plans to back the township into a corner.
And the more Rosenthal and others plot against the township, the worse East Lansing looks. Rosenthal has significant ties to city officials, having served as ASMSU’s director of community affairs - a position with the chief role of working with East Lansing officials.
ASMSU is MSU’s undergraduate student government.
Of course, no one can prove this tie to the city means someone at city hall is aiding Rosenthal in his plans, but things don’t look good. East Lansing doesn’t seem to be discouraging his misguided efforts either.
There is nothing wrong with students getting involved in the community, even as a temporary resident who will eventually move on to other places.
But Rosenthal and others need to realize there are some issues that create a lasting impact on a community, and those issues deserve special care - not a cunning tact.
Township officials have a right to be worried about the future of their Bath Township.
As long as they are neighbors with a city that appears to be land-hungry, and has a willing army of people to carry out the necessary steps, the township will face the threat of a sprawling East Lansing.
