Oxford Township officials want the village to have a voice regarding the future development of the Koenig Sand & Gravel parcel along Lakeville Road, but only in an informal and adivsory capacity.
In light of the village council’s Sept. 27 vote to have their planning commissioners and zoning officials work with the township’s in order to ‘minimize the impact of large-scale developments on the community,? the township board last week discussed in what manner this collaboration would take place.
The Troy-based Biltmore Properties, Inc. and West Bloomfield-based Ivanhoe-Huntley Homes are planning to turn the 1,160-acre gravel mining operation into a residential development.
Although no plans whatsoever have been submitted to the township, a density of about three units per acre (a total of about 3,480 units based on the gross acreage) was suggested by Biltmore representative Jack Carnahan at an April 6 joint meeting of the township board and planning commission.
However, the gross acreage of 1,160 is not what’s actually buildable because an estimated 300 acres must be substracted for wetlands, lakes and future infrastructure such as roads.
Back in July, the village was invited to work with the township regarding the planning of the Koenig parcel’s potential development by Supervisor Bill Dunn.
‘I think we have to work together,? Dunn said. ‘Something this size is going to impact the entire munity.?
Township officials were presented with two options as to how this cooperation could occur.
The first way is through an ‘informal and advisory? process by which a special committee made up of village and township planning commission members would study the project.
This committee would review both communities land use plans and ordinances as well as the developer’s proposal and make non-binding recommendations to the township planning commission, which in turn recommends any proposed rezoning to the township board.
The second way calls for a ‘formal and binding? process through which a joint planning commission is created and given ‘complete jurisdiction? over the Koenig parcel, including making direct recommendations to the township board in terms of zoning.
‘I think it’s a really good idea for them to have some input into this because it does impact the village as well as the township,? said Clerk Clara Sanderson.
‘I’m not sure if I’m in favor of a joint agreement type of thing. I think the informal (way) probably will work just as well,? she noted.
Trustee Sue Bellairs agreed.
‘I wouldn’t be opposed to doing it as an advisory thing. I would definitely not be in favor of any formal arrangement,? she said.
Dunn said he would contact Don Silvester, chairman of the township planning commission, and arrange to have the two commissions meet to discuss their working together.
A few residents concerned about Koenig’s development expressed their concerns and opinions to township officials.
Oxford resident Wilbert Hutchings, who lives on Delano Road, believes the township should keep the Koenig parcel’s zoning as is ? Suburban Farms 2 (SF-2), one residential unit for every five acres.
Under the current zoning, based on simple division, the Koenig property would yield about 232 units.
Hutchings told officials the area’s increasing traffic congestion is ‘not going to get better unless you consider holding the line on the kind of zoning you have, especially in the northeast quadrant (of the township).?
‘I agree with you that we should try to limit (development) as much as we can to not ruin the quality of life,? Dunn said in response.
However, the supervisor noted even ‘if we stop all the building here in Oxford . . . In order to reduce traffic, we would have to ask the people north of us ? in Lapeer, Metamora, whatever ? to stop building homes.?
The developer’s initial suggestion of about three-units-per-acre on the Koenig property was described by Dunn as ‘a number the developer threw up in the air.?
‘It won’t be anywhere near that,? the supervisor said.
Township Engineer Shannon Parry, of Rowe, Inc., agreed.
‘I think he got a clear understanding that wasn’t anything this board or the planning commission was all that in favor of,? Parry said.
However, Parry noted the township’s updated Master Plan, now being finalized, calls for a higher density on the Koenig property.
In a later phone interview, township Planner Don Wortman estimated the new Master Plan calls for between 700 and 900 residential units on Koenig.
But it was pointed out during the meeting that changes to the Master Plan do not automatically mean changes to the current zoning. Any rezonings must still be approved by the township board.
An Addison resident in the audience expressed her hope that Oxford will keep Addison officials informed about the Koenig property’s development.
‘It affects us too,? she said. ‘We are much more rural than Oxford . . . Just the thought of another Waterstone coming closer to Addison is revolting.?
‘I have been in contact with (Addison supervisor) Mr. (Bob) Koski and (Treasurer) Dan Alberty,? replied Dunn. ‘One fear was that we were going to allow sewers to (be extended) into Addison Township. I can assure you that’s not going to happen.?

comsponse.
However, the supervisor noted even ‘if we stop all the building here in Oxford . . . In order to reduce traffic, we would have to ask the people north of us ? in Lapeer, Metamora, whatever ? to stop building homes.?
Despite the developer’s initial suggestion of three-units-per-acre on the Koenig property, Dunn said, ‘It won’t be anywhere near that.?
Township Engineer Shannon Parry, of Rowe, Inc., agreed.
‘I think he got a clear understanding that wasn’t anything this board or the planning commission was all that in favor of,? Parry said.
However, Parry noted the township’s updated Master Plan, now being finalized, calls for a higher density on the Koenig property, approximately 850 homes.
But it was pointed out that changes to the Master Plan do not automatically mean changes to the current zoning. Rezonings must still be approved by the township board.
An Addison resident in the audience expressed her hope that Oxford will keep Addison officials informed about the Koenig property’s development.
‘It affects us too,? she said. ‘We are much more rural than Oxford . . . Just the thought of another Waterstone coming closer to Addison is revolting.?
‘I have been in contact with (Addison supervisor) Mr. (Bob) Koski and (Treasurer) Dan Alberty,? replied Dunn. ‘One fear was that we were going to allow sewers to (be extended) into Addison Township. I can assure you that’s not going to happen.?