Within a community, a diversity of people is essential to the enrichment of the inhabitants' lives. Although diversity often is associated with ethnic background and lifestyle, income also is a factor that needs to be considered.
The 60 residents of Mobile Home Manor, located behind Tom's Party Store in East Lansing, are a part of the Okemos community - an important part that is deserving of all the same equities afforded to the rest of the community. In this case, the equities are affordable housing, good schools and easily accessible businesses.
The possible rezoning of the $1.69 million stretch of land by the Meridian Township Planning Commission, would remove the mobile homes and allow the building of condominiums by Capstone Development. This change would endanger the delicate mix of the Okemos community.
Sustaining this balance is not just a sympathetic vote for the underprivileged, it is a request by Okemos residents, who have come before the commission to testify to the negative effects it will have on their community.
One of the negative effects would be the loss of $8,000 for each of the park's nine children, who will no longer be able to attend Wardcliff Elementary School in Okemos. Residents and school officials admit that the park's families will not be able to relocate anywhere else within Okemos because of high property values. Already, the school's budget has been shrinking from five years of declining enrollment.
With the replacement of condominium housing in the area, the population is sure to be primarily composed of students, although Capstone officials said they are attempting to attract young professionals who will bring families.
Not much luck has been had with condos above Cos' and CVS Pharmacy in downtown East Lansing and other areas, which are typically bought by parents and rented out to students. Don't believe for a second that Capstone's residences, already heavily occupied with students, have any better chance of diversifying.
Although our hearts are with the plight of the park's residents, our intent is not to demonize the park's owner, William Lacey, or Capstone Development. Lacey and Capstone officials merely are business people who are allowed to do with their properties as they please, even if it means an unfortunate eviction for others.
There is no "bad guy" per se in this situation. More so, there is a conflict of interests that need to ethically prioritized by what the community needs most.
Although the planning commission is not allowed to consider the opinions of residents on prospective developments and can only vote on zoning ordinances, one can only hope ethics will play some role in its decision.
If the planning commission does not turn down the zoning changes, then perhaps the Meridian Township Board - which can be influenced by public outcry - will find a way to resolve this problem without ousting Mobile Home Manor's residents from Okemos.
