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MUSKEGON -- Many have responded to the call for the city of Muskegon to use "eminent domain" to take the former paper mill property from its new private owner with outrage. While Lakeside and Bluffton neighbors and environmentalists have issues over environmental cleanup and plans for industrial redevelopment of the 120-acre site on Muskegon Lake, some among them call for a public taking of the property.

The main pro-business organization in Muskegon is not ready to immediately jump on private property rights argument many MLive commenters have voiced. Northc9r is typical among those arguing the point.

You people are the same ones that would scream bloody murder if the city claimed eminent domain to take your property, as would I, but you're ok with it when someone else holds the deed and you have your own agenda.

I've posted it before regarding this but I hope you get the living **** sued out of you for trying to take away property rights!

And then muskdem wrote:

Are you people freaking kidding me? You want the city to take this man's property because you want more condos and offices? ... Are you now willing to pay him fair market price (plus a fair profit for his investment and work completed) for this property and pay for environmental cleanup of this property? ... I am appalled at the attitude of this citizens group, that any other day would scream about government interference. Eminent domain has been abused too many times . What if it was your house they wanted, so an abortion clinic or medical marijuana facility could be opened, for the greater good of society? And your local government was in favor of it. So back off, shut up, and let this man run his business in a profitable manner and create some much needed jobs, since you were not lining up to do so.

But Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Larsen has another take. She and her organization are not taking a specific position in the debate over whether the city should rezone or use "eminment domain" on the former Sappi Fine Paper property now owned by Melching Inc.

But as the difficult public policies on the Sappi property get debated and a private property owner such as Doug Melching makes his way through the demolition and redevelopment process, Larsen would offer up the guiding principles of "sustainability" that are embraced by many businesses today.

"The principles of sustainability have to apply," Larsen said of the Sappi issue. "Progressive companies today make these their principles."

The sustainability philosophy is built on the "triple bottom line." A successful business must be built upon economic prosperity that comes with profits, environmental integrity and social justice.

Read more:
The issues surrounding the Sappi site are not so clear cut, Muskegon chamber chief says