Meridian Township board votes against rezoning

On Oct. 2, the Meridian Township Board voted 6-1 denying Jim Giguere’s request to rezone approximately 7.36 acres of residential property. Their decision means that no more than seven homes can be built off Hulett Road, near the Sanctuary Neighborhood. 

Township Treasurer Julie Brixie said that her vote against the rezoning request was not a difficult decision to make. “The current zoning on the land is consistent with our future land use map,” said Brixie. “The requested zoning would not serve the best interests of the community.”

Alina Gorlick, a 10-year Meridian Township resident, said she felt extremely happy about the board’s decision.

Dancy Pantz Boutique waltzes into Okemos

Megan Villasurda, 26, had a longtime dream of opening up her own dance store but realized the community already had Bottoms Up as their go-to dance supply store. “I really wanted to do this for like five years,” Villasurda said. “but I did not want to compete with them because they had all the contacts and over 40 years of business.”

When Bottoms Up closed in May, she was encouraged by her friend and boss to make her dream a reality so in August, Villasurda opened her store at 2395 Jolly Road. “I gave her a call when I heard Bottoms Up was closing and said, ‘this is your sign,’” said Kick It Out Dance Studio owner, Denise Krumm. Villasurda had been teaching at Kick It Out Dance Studio for six years.