Nye’s Apple Barn property development plan up for vote Monday – WSJM

Report on the Proposed Nye Property Development and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Project Proposal and Sustainable Development Context

A special use proposal for a mixed-use development on the former Nye’s Apple Barn property in St. Joseph Charter Township is scheduled for a vote. The project aims to contribute to local infrastructure and housing, directly engaging with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The plan includes:

• A gas station and convenience store
• A restaurant
• Multi-level apartments

This development proposal intersects primarily with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by addressing urban land use, housing, and economic infrastructure. However, it also presents a complex challenge in balancing economic objectives with social and environmental sustainability, a core tenet of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

2.0 Community Concerns and Social Sustainability Implications

Significant opposition has been raised by local residents, particularly the High Wood Estates Homeowners Association. Their concerns highlight potential negative impacts on community well-being and environmental quality, challenging the project’s alignment with key SDG targets.

2.1 Primary Areas of Opposition

1. Sustainable Transport and Environmental Impact (SDG 11.2 & 11.6): The primary concern is a projected 60% increase in vehicle traffic along Niles Avenue. This raises issues related to SDG 11.2 (Sustainable Transport Systems) and SDG 11.6 (Reducing the Environmental Impact of Cities), including potential increases in air and noise pollution.
2. Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Residents have cited adverse effects on their “quality-of-life,” a direct reference to the principles of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), which encompasses environmental quality and community safety.
3. Inclusive and Participatory Planning (SDG 11.3 & SDG 16.7): The opposition argues that the developer has not adequately responded to community feedback. This points to a perceived deficit in participatory and inclusive urban planning, a goal outlined in SDG 11.3, and challenges the ideal of responsive and inclusive institutions as per SDG 16.7.

3.0 Development Justification and Economic Sustainability Goals

Proponents of the project, including property owner John Nye and the economic development group Cornerstone Alliance, argue that the development aligns with critical economic and housing goals, contributing to local economic vitality and addressing a pressing social need.

3.1 Arguments in Support of the Proposal

• Affordable and Accessible Housing (SDG 11.1): The inclusion of multi-level apartments is presented as a direct response to the need for workforce housing. This supports SDG 11.1 (Access to Adequate, Safe and Affordable Housing).
• Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): Cornerstone Alliance supports the plan for its potential to expand the local tax base and stimulate economic activity. This aligns with the objectives of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by fostering local economic development.
• Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16): The property owner has cited Michigan Supreme Court precedent regarding zoning ordinances, invoking the legal frameworks that govern land use and property rights, a component of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

4.0 Governance and the Path Forward

The upcoming vote by the St. Joseph Charter Township trustees represents a critical decision-making moment. The board’s previous unanimous (6-0) rejection of a similar proposal in May 2023 indicates a history of prioritizing community concerns. The current decision-making process is a practical application of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), requiring local authorities to create a sustainable path forward by balancing competing stakeholder interests. The final vote will determine the township’s strategic direction in integrating the economic goals of SDG 8 with the social and environmental targets of SDG 3 and SDG 11.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article focuses on a proposed urban development project that includes multi-level apartments, a gas station, and a restaurant. This directly relates to urban planning, housing, and the quality of life in a community. The debate between the developer, who cites the need for “workforce housing,” and the residents, who are concerned about “added traffic and other quality-of-life impacts,” is central to creating sustainable and inclusive communities.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The development is supported by the local economic development group, Cornerstone Alliance, because it would “add to the area’s tax base.” The creation of a gas station, convenience store, and restaurant implies the creation of new jobs. This connects the project to local economic growth and development-oriented policies.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The article discusses the development of a new “mixed-use project.” This involves building new infrastructure (apartments, commercial buildings) that serves both residential and economic purposes. The project represents an investment in local infrastructure to support housing and commerce.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. The property owner, John Nye, and Cornerstone Alliance highlight that the proposed “multi-level apartments” would support “workforce housing needs,” directly addressing the issue of housing availability.
   • Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries. The conflict described in the article, where the Homeowners Association opposes the plan due to a lack of response to community feedback, exemplifies the challenge of participatory and integrated planning. The township trustees’ vote is the formal mechanism for managing this urban development proposal.
2. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. The proposed project, which includes a gas station, convenience store, and restaurant, is a development-oriented policy aimed at creating jobs and adding to the local tax base, as supported by the Cornerstone Alliance.
3. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being. The plan to build a mixed-use development with apartments and commercial spaces is a direct effort to develop local infrastructure to meet housing and economic needs.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 11.1 (Housing):
   • An implied indicator is the number of new housing units created, specifically those designated as “workforce housing.” The mention of “multi-level apartments” suggests a quantifiable increase in the local housing stock.
2. For Target 11.3 (Participatory Planning):
   • An informal indicator is the level of community opposition and the outcome of the township’s vote. The article notes the Homeowners Association’s opposition and the previous “unanimously six to zero” vote to reject a similar proposal. This serves as a measure of how community feedback is incorporated into the final decision on urban planning.
3. For Quality of Life and Environmental Impact (related to SDG 11):
   • A specific, quantifiable indicator is mentioned: the projected increase in traffic flow. The article states, “A traffic study conducted in 2021 projected a 60 percent increase in vehicle flow along Niles Avenue if the plan moves forward.” This is a direct measure of a potential negative impact on the community’s quality of life and local environment.
4. For Target 8.3 (Economic Growth):
   • An implied indicator is the increase in the local tax base. The support from Cornerstone Alliance is explicitly tied to the project’s potential to “add to the area’s tax base,” which is a key metric for local economic development.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wsjm.com