Land Bank Ready For Vacant Property Decision

berriencountyadministration-28
berriencountyadministration-28

The Berrien County Land Bank is prepared to approve the sale of the former Alreco Metals property in Benton Harbor to a medical marijuana operation, but only as long as the city of Benton Harbor approves it. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News the land bank got a letter this week from Mayor Marcus Muhammad expressing support for the sale of the vacant industrial property to the Harvest Foundation, a medical marijuana producer.

“Based on the results of the planning board this week and the letter from the mayor — and he represents the city — that they are moving in that direction, we are going to start the process with Harvest Group on the condition that only will it be closed and sold once the city commission approves whatever changes they feel would be needed for the zoning,” Witkowski said.

The Benton Harbor City Commission could receive proposed zoning rules for medical marijuana providers and producers from the planning commission next month. A sale of the Alreco plot could be approved by the land bank soon after the passage of the zoning rules if that’s what the city commission chooses to do. Witkowski tells us the land bank has to take initial steps to position itself for a property sale, which it is doing now.