WHEREAS, the Columbia Township Board has received a petition dated September 4, 2009 entitled, "Concerned Neighbors of the Dutch Mill/Silver Saddle Saloon" (copy attached);

WHEREAS, the petition appears to have been signed by approximately 59 township residents in support of the claims made therein;

WHEREAS, the petition is a declaration of "major concerns" of the signers, including but not limited to: loud music and vibrations as late as 2:00 a.m.; loud and intoxicated patrons exiting the facility between 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.; police involvement and arrests in the parking lot for narcotics; patrons walking around the neighborhood in "altered states of consciousness";

WHEREAS, the petition asks that this Board consider these concerns "in its plans to consider changes to zoning of this property" and that any plans by the township regarding this business "should be debated in a public meeting that encourages neighborhood participation";

WHEREAS, although the petition states that copies were provided to officials of the County Board and the County Sheriff, there is no indication it was provided to the owners/proprietors of the Dutch Mill/Silver Saddle Saloon, and this Board believes it to be in the interest of all concerned that they be informed of the petition and its contents;

WHEREAS, this Board is aware of no proposed plans to change the zoning for this property; and,

WHEREAS, the Board takes the allegations in the petition seriously and should seek the counsel of township attorneys as to the allegations within the petition and what actions are available to this board, if any.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that: