MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - There was a full house at the Monday, Nov. 18, Planning Commission Meeting.

The commission held a public hearing for the special use permit request to build a plasma center at the Carriage Hills Shopping Center located on the northwest corner of Lake Lansing and Hagadorn Roads.

Many residents came out to voice their opinions on the issue. Some of their concerns were an increase in crime rate, loitering, and traffic to the area, as well as the safety of their children walking home from Donley Elementary School that's nearby the proposed location.

Four blind residents also came out to share their opinions on the plasma center. They stressed how a plasma center may make their walks to the pharmacy or bus stop not as safe for them.

One blind resident said, "It's a safe plaza, it's a safe place to walk and it's always been that way. I'll tell you this: I've been here for seven years and if this plasma center comes in, I'm not going to leave right away. I'll see if things turn out the way that I expect that they might. But if they do, I'll be gone. They'll be one less resident here."

The Planning Commission voted to deny the special use permit for the center and will not be recommending it to the Township Board.

A discussion on the plasma center will take place at an upcoming board meeting.