NILES CHARTER TOWNSHIP — A new Indiana Michigan Power facility could soon jolt to life in Niles Charter Township.

The township board unanimously approved a rezoning request that could let the electric company, which is part of American Electric Power, build a distribution site and office space on the property. Trustee Chris Vella was absent during the Tuesday meeting at the township building on Bell Street.

The approval changes 40 acres of agricultural reserve land on Walton Road just past the US-31 ramps to rural reserve land. This allows Indiana Michigan Power, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, to potentially build a power distribution site and office space on the property.

The board has yet to approve AEP to build on the site. The company still needs its site plans approved by the township’s planning commission during a July 7 meeting before seeking approval from the township board.

The change in zoning was previously approved by the township planning commission and, last Tuesday, by Berrien County.

Trustee Richard Cooper, who also sits on the planning commission, said AEP did a lot of research on the parcel before purchasing it, including soil tests and inspecting other parcels.

Cooper could not share specifics on the proposed electric site until site plans are shared, but he did say that the center will be a place for AEP to help consumers during issues like power outages.

“They’ll only be coming only out of there to different things,” he said. “It will be not eliminating anything they have out there now. This will be in addition to what’s out there, so the response times will probably be better and quicker on different items, especially storms and things like that.”

Some residents expressed concerns about the proposed site, which would be next to a residential area if approved. Cooper said its presence would be minimal.

“When it came to the planning commission, all of their trucks were in the garage each night,” he said. “They don’t leave anything set out.”

According to board members, the distribution center could house a few office buildings and a garage for vehicles to enter in and out of. A Tuesday, July 7 planning commission meeting, where AEP will reveal site plans will reveal what will be built.

A rural reserve, which the 40-acre parcel was rezoned to, is a step back of sorts from an agricultural reserve. A rural reserve can be converted into farm lands or residential space. The Niles Charter Township zoning ordinance states that there is no intent to encourage recreational use on such properties.

The zoning ordinance also states that the district is meant to protect natural features, animal habitats, groundwater quality and privacy of the area while allowing low density development to occur “in harmony.”

Other agenda items approved unanimously at the Monday evening meeting were the following:

• Orchard Hills Country Club’s fireworks application

• Two wage increases for department of public works director Dennis Haygood and DPW staff Jason Antus. Antus passed an S-4 exam through the state of Michigan, while Haygood passed both an S-4 and S-3 exam. They are now both certified in drinking water treatment.

Treasurer Jim Ringler said the township has historically increased employees’ annual salaries by $500 for each exam passed. He suggested that the township define which exams and how many exam attempts would be paid for by the township. He also suggested defining which certifications would lead to salary increases. Niles Charter Township does not need S-2 certification, he said.

Other board members agreed. Trustee Daniel Pulaski said specifications could be added to the township manual, which is currently being updated.