Here is an opinion piece from the Michigan Citizen.

http://michigancitizen.com/land-misuse-p11369-1.htm

Land misuse
Published
• Sun, Jul 08, 2012
By Shea Howell
Special to the Michigan Citizen

John Hantz is aggressively pushing the city into handing over 1,900 lots for $300 each. He is telling the city it would be a terrific deal for us. Hantz Farms would beautify blighted neighborhoods, put land back on the tax roles and take over needed maintenance. He says it�s a deal the city shouldn�t refuse.

Last week, Hantz and the mayor hastily called a news conference to unveil the deal. The event turned out to be a bust, thanks to the intervention of some members of the City Council and the City Planning Commission. Both raised several concerns.

First, Hantz is talking about taking over nearly 200 acres of land. This is an area roughly half the size of the sprawling Poletown Plant. His proposal specifically excludes any agreement about future development. So, if farming doesn�t work out, he is free to do whatever he wants with the land. Second, large-scale farming brings the city into conflict with state law and the Right to Farm Act. The Detroit City Planning Commission�s Urban Agricultural Workgroup and the Detroit Food Policy Council are working out these legal complications. This group has been working diligently to craft policies that reflect the wisdom and experience of the growing number of small urban gardeners. Now Hantz is proposing to bypass this process.

Full article here

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