DRAFT

Petition Narrative for Special Assessment District – Eagle Lake (Sanctuary/Silverleaf & Future Development)

To the Texas Township Board:

We, the undersigned residents and property owners adjacent to Eagle Lake, respectfully petition the Texas Township Board to initiate the establishment of a Special Assessment District (SAD) under Public Act 188 of 1954 (MCL 41.721 et seq.). The purpose of this SAD is to formally incorporate the Sanctuary/Silverleaf development into the township’s long-term lake level management strategy for Eagle Lake, including financial and operational participation in the infrastructure necessary to sustain the legally established lake level of 899.26 feet.

Eagle Lake’s hydrological sensitivity and history of flooding have led to the implementation of a township-wide pumping system designed to regulate lake levels and prevent shoreline erosion, property damage, and ecological disruption. This system, developed in coordination with the Kalamazoo County Drain Commissioner and authorized under Part 307 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, represents a significant public investment and community safeguard.

While the Sanctuary/Silverleaf development is already funding internal stormwater infrastructure, its proximity to Eagle Lake and its potential contribution to surface runoff necessitate its inclusion in the broader lake level management framework. Notably, stormwater basins located near PQ Avenue and South 4th Street are engineered to collect runoff and route it back toward Eagle Lake, reinforcing the need for all contributing properties—regardless of direct shoreline adjacency—to participate in the SAD.

 This district would ensure:

 • Formal integration of the development into the Eagle Lake pumping and monitoring system

• Equitable financial participation in the maintenance and operation of pumping infrastructure

• Performance auditing to verify that runoff from the development does not compromise lake level stability

• Allocation of funds for unforeseen needs, including upgrades to pumping systems to accommodate increased water level rise or higher output requirements

• Inclusion of future developments not currently under review that contribute runoff to Eagle Lake, ensuring consistent accountability across all impacted parcels

• Alignment with township ordinances and long-term flood mitigation goals

This petition reflects our collective commitment to protecting Eagle Lake’s ecological integrity, shoreline stability, and long-term resilience. By formally incorporating the Sanctuary/Silverleaf development and other contributing properties into the lake level management framework, the Township ensures that all sources of runoff share in the responsibility of sustaining Eagle Lake at its legally established elevation of 899.26 feet. We respectfully request that the Township Board initiate the SAD process, including technical assessment and public hearing, to advance this essential safeguard for our lake and community.

 Respectfully submitted,

[Signature Block for Petitioners]