Shelby Township officials say an animal foster care operation in Forest Glen subdivision violates township ordinance. The operator continues to work with officials to resolve this issue and avoid shutdown.
As of Wednesday, Kelley LaBonty, president of Detroit Animal Welfare Group, had not applied to appear at the April 4 Zoning Board of Appeals' meeting to make her case for home-based animal foster care.
It’s been just over a month since officials first told Kelley LaBonty to cease fostering dogs at her Shelby Township home, but the issue remains far from resolved. LaBonty, who serves as president of the nonprofit Detroit Animal Welfare Group, says she has fostered dogs in her home since October 2011. In February, the president of the Forest Glen Homeowners Association brought the number of dogs in LaBonty’s care, almost a dozen including her own four, to the attention of the township’s board of trustees. The issue at that point was liability, specifically who would be held responsible should one of the dogs get loose and injure someone in the neighborhood. For Shelby Township officials, the issue is zoning. Township Planning Director …
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Shelby Township officials say a local dog rescue and foster care operation in Forest Glen subdivision violates township ordinance.
Does a home-based animal rescue operation have a place in Shelby Township? Township officials say no, which is news for Kelley LaBonty, who has operated the nonprofit Detroit Animal Welfare Group out of her home in the Forest Glen subdivision for the past 10 years. A registered nurse, LaBonty serves as president of DAWG and fosters multiple animals at any given time in addition to her own four dogs. In January, Shelby Township notified LaBonty that her operation was in violation of township zoning ordinances, as an animal rescue is "not a permitted use" in a residential area, according to The Macomb Daily. A second letter was sent the first week of February, which ordered LaBonty to remove the fosters she had and cease operating the rescue…
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12:59 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
She has been doing it for 10 years why make a big deal now. Thats just so sad that people have nothing better to do than complain about the neighbors that do good things. more ›
The new role of Shelby Township deputy supervisor will replace that of administrative assistant in the supervisor's office, taking on greater responsibilities in township communication and grant work.
Despite the role’s impressive-sounding name, the individual hired to serve as Shelby Township’s new “deputy supervisor” is expected to make approximately $7,000 less per year than the administrative assistant he or she replaces. At the request of Supervisor Rick Stathakis, the township board voted 6-1 Tuesday to approve a $52,000 compensation package for the position of deputy supervisor. Since January 2009, the supervisor’s office has consisted of two employees – the supervisor and a full-time administrative assistant. When that assistant retired in July 2012, a temporary employee was hired to perform basic office duties. Now looking to hire a permanent employee once again, Stathakis asked the board to approve a new position that would …
The Shelby Township board has unanimously approved two cost-share projects to widen Van Dyke from 25 Mile to 26 Mile and improve the pedestrian and bike crossing at Dequindre Road between 23 Mile and 24 Mile.
Shelby Township has committed to invest another half a million dollars in area infrastructure this year following board approval of two projects to improve Van Dyke and Dequindre. Earlier this month, the township approved $800,000 to cover its portion of the cost for widening Hayes Road from 21 to 23 Mile Road. On Tuesday, the township board unanimously approved cost-share agreements for widening Van Dyke from 25 Mile to 26 Mile and improving the pedestrian and bike crossing at Dequindre Road between 23 Mile and 24 Mile. The widening of Van Dyke is the final link in the Macomb County Department of Roads’ plan to make the Van Dyke corridor five-lanes from M-59 to 26 Mile Road. Although the total project cost is approximately $5.1 million, …
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The Shelby Township board of trustees will review two cost-share agreements for proposed construction projects at its meeting Tuesday.
Shelby Township officials will consider approving more than half a million dollars in infrastructure improvements on Van Dyke and Dequindre at the board of trustees meeting Tuesday. Earlier this month, the township approved $800,000 to cover its portion of the cost for widening Hayes Road from 21 to 23 Mile Road. Tonight, the township is being asked to approve cost-share agreements for widening Van Dyke from 25 Mile to 26 Mile and improving the pedestrian and bike crossing at Dequindre Road between 23 Mile and 24 Mile. The widening of Van Dyke is the final link in the Macomb County Department of Roads’ plan to make the Van Dyke corridor five-lanes from M-59 to 26 Mile Road. Although the total project cost is approximately $5.1 million, …
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3:22 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Oh oh, more money out of the general fund. Time to do some shifting. more ›
The Shelby Township board is scheduled to vote on a salary and benefits package for an at-will deputy supervisor Tuesday.
The role of deputy supervisor may be making a comeback in Shelby Township this year provided the board approves the position’s proposed $52,000 compensation package at tonight’s township meeting. The position of at-will deputy supervisor has not existed in Shelby Township for some time, but a newly proposed compensation package, which includes vacation time, health care coverage, life insurance, disability and a 401(a) pension plan, would pave the way for a new hire. Supervisor Rick Stathakis is scheduled to ask the board to adopt a resolution to authorize the compensation package at Tuesday’s board meeting. The board meets at 7 p.m. in the municipal building at 52700 Van Dyke.
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7:03 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Mr Stathakis sat there with a dumb look like he didn’t know what was going on. Very similar to the night the strange fat man in the audience was holding up signs. Perhaps Mr Stathakis needs glasses and a hearing aid to know what’s happening at the township meetings, more ›
Cherry Creek, though operated by Golf Facilities, Inc., is owned by Shelby Township, which receives rent from GFI as a tenant.
Shelby Township has agreed to defer $1.3 million in rent from Cherry Creek Golf Club in exchange for Cherry Creek’s commitment to make a minimum of $1.6 million in capital improvements to the property over the next eight years and extend its current lease until 2062. The township board voted 5-1 Tuesday to approve these lease amendments, with Trustee Nick Nightingale casting an opposing vote and Trustee Doug Wozniak absent. Under the amended lease terms, Shelby Township will defer Cherry Creek’s rent for eight years and eliminate the guaranteed monthly rent payments in favor of a quarterly pay schedule. In return, Cherry Creek will invest the monies that would have otherwise been used for rent in a series of renovations. The company has …
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10:40 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
I understand that while some board members wanted the deferral shortened to 5 years the response from the bank was that they "preferred an 8 year deferral". So the board caved and agreed to the 8 years. This doesn't make sense. If the bank said they required an 8 year deferral then I might have agreed but they only "preferred an 8 year deferral". It was really Golf Facility Inc. that wanted the 8… more ›
Proposed renovations include additional outdoor dining options, expansion of the white tees and construction of a new building that will make the existing clubhouse "banquets only."
In exchange for an adjustment to its existing lease and rent, the operators of Cherry Creek Golf Course say they will commit to making some $1.6 million in capital improvements to the property over the next eight years. The Shelby Township board is due to consider Cherry Creek’s proposal during its regular meeting at 7 p.m. today in the township municipal building on Van Dyke. Under the proposed terms, Shelby Township would amend its existing lease agreement with Cherry Creek to abate or defer the company’s rent for eight years as well as eliminate the guaranteed monthly rent payments in favor of a quarterly pay schedule. Cherry Creek's side of the bargain would include committing to an eight-year, $1.6 million capital expenditure campaign…
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3:45 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I don't think it's a great deal for taxpayers but it's not a horrible one either and honestly, we won't know until the future if having a public golf course in Shelby Township was a good idea. I am glad however that Kuka and other businesses within Shelby Township consider a public golf course, close by, as an asset that influenced their decisions to invest in Shelby Township and bring jobs into … more ›
Shelby Paint & Decorating
11:47 am on Monday, March 18, 2013
As a resident of Shelby Twp., I also run a foster/rescue and have zero problems with my neighbors because a great set up. Fosters/Rescues have a secured dog pen that separates them from the rest of the yard and they are the free to run with supervision. I'd be happy to provided Kelley with some guidance on how to keep the peace and continue saving the animals that our society considers disposable… more ›