OCTOBER 18, 2000 - The Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS) Director Kathy Wilbur announced today that a recent decision by the State Boundary Commission has resulted in a hearing scheduled to seek public input on the petition for the Village of Bellaire and parts of Forest Home and Kearney townships to become a city.

The Boundary Commission, an agency within CIS, has determined that a petition filed by village residents seeking city status was legally sufficient. As a result of the decision, a hearing is now scheduled for residents of Forest Home and Kearney Townships, of which the Village of Bellaire, county seat of Antrim County, is a part and adjoining townships to express their opinions on whether the village should become a city.

"The Boundary Commission’s recent action was a small, but important step for the Village of Bellaire," Wilbur said. "The process for a village to become a city in Michigan is a lengthy process and, quite frankly, doesn’t occur very often. But it is an example of democracy at its best because ultimately if the petition is approved it will be up to the residents of the community to determine whether or not Bellaire becomes a city."

The Boundary Commission has scheduled a hearing to be held in the Village of Bellaire on February 8, 2001 at 1:30 p.m on the question of becoming a city. A location for the public hearing has not yet been determined.

If the village’s petition to become a city is approved, residents may petition for a referendum if they want one. In the event the voters approve becoming a city, a local charter commission will draft a city charter. When the charter has been approved by the voters, the transition to city status will have been completed.

The State Boundary Commission is composed of three members appointed by Gov. John Engler and two members appointed by a county’s chief probate judge.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.