MARSHALL, Mich. (Michigan News Source)-At Tuesday’s Joint Planning Commission Meeting in Marshall, members voted against zoning changes necessary for the Ford Blue Oval EV Battery plant to move forward.  

The vote, which consisted of rezoning nearly 1,100 acres of additional land from its agricultural designation to heavy industrial to be used by Ford for other things such as a “chip factory” according to Marshall Township resident Julie Bryant, failed in a vote of four to two.

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Bryant has been an advocate against the proposed Ford Battery plant and attended Tuesday’s crowded meeting. 

“They’re already destroying the land,” she said regarding the proposed site for the Ford project, “They’re pulling up trees, they are raising the land.” 

Bryant also shared how she and others are concerned about the potential security concerns with the project, including Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) which Ford would be working with on the project, and how the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States should investigate the project. 

“We need CFIUS,” she said, “If CFIUS comes in to do an investigation, everything has to stop, until they get all their answers.” 

Bryant also referenced the group Seed Keepers, which in part has suggested that the land actually become a state park since the county does not have its own. 

“This land is along three miles of the Kalamazoo River,” she said, “And that very river was polluted with 800,000 gallons of oil 12 years ago by the Enbridge Corporation.” 

Another community member, Glenn Kowalske, has concerns regarding the environmental impact of the project mainly regarding the size of the plant, its proximity to the river, and how it might affect the soil. 

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“The soil is good farmland, it’s very permeable so anything that flows into the ground will go directly into the river,” Kowalske said, “The groundwater there is only about 30 feet below the surface, so there is also a big concern about aquifer damage with an industrial site.” 

Kowalske is also the founder of the non-profit organization, Seed Keepers, which seeks to  provide an opposing voice and raise awareness regarding what could be lost if the project succeeds. 

“We formed a non-profit organization to represent residents in a broader sense, or people interested in maintaining land for farming and recreational use, for beautification of the area, and environmentally oriented through education,” Kowalske said. 

He has also initiated a second recall effort against a Marshall Township Official Robert Lyng, who occupies numerous roles in Marshall, that case will go to circuit court according to Kowalske. 

“The primary reason is its making a point, Bob Lyng signed an NDA [Non-Disclosure Agreement], he’s a trustee on the board, and also on the planning commission, and he’s obviously has a conflict of interest whether its legal or not, it’s not for me to decide but I’ve made a formal complaint to both the city and the township.” 

Former U.S. Ambassador, Joseph Cella, who has helped lead the effort of raising awareness about security threats from China in the Gotion EV battery project, commended the commission voters. 

“Last night was a powerful testament to the tireless work of citizen advocates who have drawn a line in the sand when it comes to the State of Michigan and others operating in a hushed and rushed manner to spend their tax dollars on a PRC-based and CCP-tied company into the heartland of Michigan,” Cella said in an email to Michigan News Source. “Citizens have said they do not like government operating in secret, and they do not want to bring a business who presents a national security threat to our country, particularly since our intelligence agencies have warned for state and local governments to not sign such deals.”

This decision comes shortly after the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a transfer of $175 million towards the other EV battery plant project, Gotion, in Big Rapids, Michigan, which has prompted calls by some to cease the funding and investigate security concerns. 

“There are many detailed questions the Senate has either been glossed over and entirely ignored or mocked, particularly those pertaining to the national security threat Gotion presents, which our own intelligence agencies have warned state and local officials with such deals,” Cella said in a letter to Michigan lawmakers. 

None of the Joint Planning Commission members provided comments regarding their votes  by time of press. 

The Marshall City Council will have the opportunity to vote this coming Monday, whether or not to take the Joint Planning Commission’s recommendation.