Area Officials Not Alarmed By Growth Policy Proposals

Officials in governmental units surrcunding Ann Arbor apparently do not feel a policy of limiting growth in the city will have much impact on their own units. A survey by The News revealed most of these officials feel the present rate of growth in Washtenaw County will continuo even if Ann Arbor establishes a controlled growth plan. And several of Ihe people contacted indicated doubt about the success of such a plan. Hobert Lillie, supervisor of Pittsfield Township, s a i d he anticipated no changes in Pittsfield 's development if the city adopts such a policy. He said the tcwnship "will continue to grow on a basis of good planning." Concerning a controlled growth policy 'ín Ann Arbor, Lillie said, "I hate to use Í this term, but such a policy is almost un-American. We're still a young country, still in the baby stage, and we can't hide our heads in sand." Yesterday Lillie presented the county Department of Public Works Board with his township's preliminary plans for development of a sewer system. One plan calis for contracting with Ypsilanti Township for sewage treatment, at an estimated cost of $13.1 million. The other suggests hooking part of the township into Ann Arbor's system, with an estimated cost of $12.7 million. These plans are based on a projected population in ;he year 2020 of 100,000. The plans were drawn up before Ann Arbor began considering a controlled growth plan, but Lillie said he sees no nefid to change them even if the city limits its growth. DPW member Bent F. Nielsen, former city councilman and county commissioner. criticized the proposed city policy as k"a slap in the face for our young." He said it was the responsibility of the city to provide homes for persons who wished to live here, and to accommodate tlie housing needs brought on by commercial and industrial development. Supr. William Papineau of Superior Tovnship said he feit a limited growth policy in Ann Arbor would only quicken a trend that would arise anyway ol development switching to the township areas outside Ann Arbor. Papineau did not view the suggested city policy as a boon, and said it would have only minor effects on Superior. He added "There is a natural economie pressure for growth, and public officials and planners can do little to control it." Mayor Richard Boatwright of Ypsilanti granted that a decline in Ann Arbor"s growth would have some affect on his city, but said the extent would depend on the length of the limitation and on what types of construction are controlled. "We always welcome additional tax ba?e," he added. William Petring, Scio Township supervisor, said "People are moving out to Scio Township to get away from Ann ArI bor, anyway." He agreed with Papineau that a controlled growth policy would only br in line with this trend. "I think Ann Arbor should be complimented for forward look. It has finally taken notice I of other cities where too rapid growth diri not solve the problems of growth," he said. Petring added o n e effect on limited city growth would have to be mare thorough planning by his township as to what kinds of growth occurs there, Ypsilanti Township Supr. William Gagnon said limited growth in Ann Arbor would mean more growth to all surrounding areas, but he anticipated no great problems or benefits. About the only direct effect that might occur would be the need for Ypsilanti Township to hasten its expansión of sewer and water services to neighboring townships, he said.