Authorize the Supervisor and Clerk to sign a Grant Agreement with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and use Tree Mitigation Funds for a Green Corridor on Textile Road adjacent to the Pittsfield Preserve, Marsh View Meadows Park, and the Platt-Textile Greenway, subject to Township Attorney approval.

On March 27, 2019, the Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to apply for grant funding for a green infrastructure project on Textile Road adjacent to the Pittsfield Preserve, Marsh View Meadows Park, and the Platt Textile Greenway. In addition, Resolution 17-39, adopted by the Pittsfield Township Board of Trustees on July 12, 2017 provides for use of the Township’s Tree Mitigation Fund for tree canopy installation along Textile Road, between Hines Dr. and Platt Rd. A public forum was held on October 7th to get feedback about green infrastructure improvements along the Textile Road corridor and a concept plan was developed that proposes a Green Buffer including landscape restoration, green infrastructure, and tree planting along Textile Road

Based on that discussion, the proposed project includes:

1. Restoring the corridor by creating a natural landscape appropriate for the Pittsfield Preserve and Marsh View Meadows by utilizing native plants based on historical records.
2. The installation of a rain garden and bioswales to improve water quality by collecting and slowing the flow of water, allowing harmful materials to settle out before entering sensitive ecosystems and waterways. The garden and swales can also reduce flood risk, improve air quality, and provide a habitat for beneficial birds and insects. The project will be upstream of Washtenaw County Water Resources Commission (WCWRC) Pittsfield Drain #5 within the River Raisin Watershed and will be designed per the WCWRC standards to mitigate the first flush over the greenway
3. Tree planting, in coordination with property owners along Textile Road.

This project is in line with the sustainability objectives in the Sustainable Pittsfield Master Plan that calls for 1) supporting the expansion and preservation of green space, 2) expanding a multi-modal transportation network that reduces emissions and promotes public gathering spaces, and 3) maximizing dense, infill development and minimizing gray infrastructure or impermeable surfaces.

SEMCOG has awarded Pittsfield Charter Township $46,500.00 in pass-through funds for this project from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to be used between July 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020. Additional funds for the project will be drawn from the Township’s Tree Mitigation Fund.

None

$99,515 budgeted through Tree Mitigation Fund and supplemented with $46,500 in grant funding.

None

None

Yes