Housing plan ignites tax concerns in Kochville

October 23, 2006 —

Two members of the October Kochville Township Board of Trustees had harsh words for SVSU concerning the recent approval of on-campus housing for 310 more beds.

Clerk Allan R. Bader was critical of the development for bringing students into Kochville Township, but without adding any tax revenue to the Township's coffers. As a state institution, on-campus housing or any buildings at SVSU do not have to pay local taxes.

"If this was all handled by private capital, this would probably generate $8,000 in taxes for the fire department," Bader said.

Bader wants SVSU to stall the on-campus housing development and work with the Township's Planning Commission to develop a joint plan that will generate tax revenue.

Treasurer Randall R. Norton was disappointed that SVSU is planning to add apartments, even after the Cardinal Townhomes development was rejected by township residents in a February referendum.

"I wish [SVSU] would have stepped up ahead of time, and said that in the event commercial development did not go in, they would go ahead [and build on campus]," Norton said.

Norton also rebuked residents who oppose off-campus development near the University, questioning their anti-development claims.

"SVSU is in our township. Do you know how many areas would give their right arm to have that development?" Bader asked.

SVSU professor Stephen J. Yanca, a Township resident who helped halt the Cardinal Townhomes plan, supports on-campus housing.

"We have no objection to the University putting all residential development for students on campus," Yanca said, "because we are sure they will be well supervised.”