Petition updateSTOP THE LOT at Kinsey and Main St in the Village of CaledoniaSTOP THE LOT Update — Show Up Monday 7pm Village Hall
Caledonia ResidentsUnited States
Sep 7, 2025

When/Where: Mon, Sept 8 • 7:00–8:30 PM • Village Hall

What: Village Council meeting — public comment matters

 

Why This Matters:

  • We’re 600+ petition signatures strong. We will submit our phase 2 petition soon. Gathering more signatures before we do.
  • The Village has not yet received the DNR grant (a decision is expected in December), yet it continues to push the Kinsey & Main “trailhead” parking lot forward despite overwhelming public opposition. Council members have further implied that the interests of local businesses carry more weight than the concerns of residents who will be directly impacted by this lot.
  • Resident vs. non-resident point (their argument): Even if some signers are non-residents, the proposed lot is explicitly intended to serve non-residents (visitors/shoppers). You can’t claim the project serves non-residents, but their voices don’t count.
  • Businesses submitted into public record a pro-lot petition in August (170 signatures); we need every resident voice on the record.
  • Kent County has not responded to questions about the easement they hold with the school or what they plan to do. Contact: ben.swayze@kentcountymi.gov
  • We’ve engaged the Sun & News and are awaiting a response.

 

Fun Facts:

“More people have signed this petition than voted for any sitting trustee.”

Recent election results:

2024 Elections

Village President: Jennifer Lindsey — 677 votes
Village Trustee: Nikki Daley — 469 votes
Village Trustee: Cheryl Miller — 370 votes
Village Trustee: Daniel L. Erskine — 355 votes

2022 Elections

Village Trustee: Gerrianne Schuler — 500 votes
Village Trustee: Jean E. Soest — 496 votes

Village Trustee: Jeff Niles — N/A


Turnout: 2024 total ballots cast 1,094; 2022 total ballots cast 931.

Important: The 600+ STOP THE LOT petition signatures include supporters beyond the Village voting district (neighbors, trail users, and patrons who’d be directly affected). This is not an apples-to-apples comparison to village-only election votes—but votes are still votes, and these numbers show the scale of public concern.

 

Code of Ethics Complaints

Three ethics complaints have been filed alleging that the Village Council repeatedly ignored resident input, allowed dismissive treatment of speakers, and failed to keep accurate, transparent minutes. As of Sept 7, 2025, the Village has issued no formal response. This is serious—and it’s exactly why we must keep showing up and demanding accountability.

 

What YOU CAN Do

  1. Show up at the Village Council Meeting & speak during public comment (max 3 minutes).
  2. Share the petition—aim for 10 new signatures (texts, email, local FB groups, etc.). https://www.change.org/STOPTHELOT25
  3. Contact the School Board (they control the land lease, which currently has an easement in perpetuity held by Kent County) and ask them to decline leasing school property for this use.
  4. Oppose the DNR grant (RP25-0028)
    • The Village applied for a DNR Passport Grant to fund part of this project. However, this grant is intended to expand recreation access—not to providing merchant parking. The Village’s application misrepresents the project’s true intent. We urge the DNR to deny or pause funding based on this misrepresentation, the lack of site control, insufficient public input, and unresolved design and safety concerns. Additionally, no data has been provided to demonstrate a legitimate need for additional parking in the Village.
    • Contact Information: DNR Grants Office: (517) 284-7268
    • Regional Contact: Email Riley Millard – millardR2@michigan.gov and dnr-grants@michigan.gov
    • Re: Grant Application Reference ID: RP25-0028

 

Want to get involved? Or want a yard sign? Email STOPTHELOT25@gmail.com

 

Resident Comments:

"How about putting the parking back at 84th Street and Patterson, the southeast corner. When the trail first came in people loved parking there until they put up no parking signs. Very convenient to two sections of the trail."

"There is so much street parking around! You don’t need a parking lot… what a waste of money!"

"There are a lot better things to use this money for! Definitely other spots for parking!"

"Everyone says this is a democracy. Well, here’s your chance! There isn’t a single person who should be against letting the voters decide. It’s about choice at this point."

"Why would you make the area more congested please no"

"Would you want this adjacent to YOUR home?"

"I am a Scotsmoor neighborhood resident. I don't see a need for additional parking in Cal. There are maybe 2 events per year that would garner that kind of need (Calapalooza & Christmas). I drive through every day at multiple hours of the day and there is always ample street parking. This is unnecessary, would destroy the natural aesthetic of the trailhead, and would be so awful in particular for the adjacent homeowner near that site. I support this petition 100%. I do not support a parking lot in that location."

"Alternative parking already exists at the old fire station and the football lot. Neither lot is full during daylight hours. Both options are on the trail or connected by sidewalk and public land."

"The amount of traffic on the trail doesn't seem to warrant a parking lot. The funds would be better spent on a trail head parking at 84th and Patterson."

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