A recommendation for rezoning by the Oxford Township Planning Commission could help pave the way for development of about 60 condominiums on Lakeville Road.
Planning commissioners voted 3-2 Feb. 9 to recommend that a 6.89-acre parcel and adjacent 1.05-acre parcel to the west be rezoned from light industrial (M-1) to multiple family (RM).
Both parcels, which are in the process of being combined into one, are owned by Jim McGowan.
While the small parcel is predominantly wetlands, the larger one contains the Oxford Products International building (544 Lakeville Road).
Inside the stone building on the south side of Lakeville Road, just outside the village limits and across from Beaver Stair, McGowan’s company does contract sewing for automotive companies such as Saturn and makes other things such as pool table covers.
McGowan wishes to sell his property to Jim Lawrence, a developer from Brighton, who in turn wants transform the land into approximately 60 condominiums called ‘Oakwood Bluff.?
‘I think we would offer the community a lower cost housing potential for people that want to own their own home rather than rentals,? Lawerence told commissioners.
In order to get the ball rolling, Lawrence needs the township board to approve the planning commission’sommendation to rezone the land from light industrial to multiple family.
Lawrence made his case before the planning commission by showing how the property is currently surrounded by residential areas. ‘Essentially, this region is 90 percent residential,? he said.
Although the township’s Master Plan intends for those parcels to become office/service in the future, Lawrence said this could result in a 60,000-square-foot office building with approximately 360 cars parked on site and the potential for 750 car trips a day in that area.
He noted his proposed 60-unit residential development would have at most 120 cars (average of two per condo).
‘Our proposal is multi-family ? less dense, less impact on the community,? said Lawrence.
With Scripter Park and its natural trail in such close proximity and the village, particularly downtown, within walking distrance, the property seems an ideal spot for residential development, according to Lawrence.
Plus an ‘approximately $14 to $15 million development? such as his condos would ‘add a considerable amount of tax revenue to the township,? he noted.
The question of water and sewer was raised as commissioners discussed from whom the development would gets its water and does the township have enough sewer capacity.
As for water, Lawrence said, ‘We have talked to both the village and the township about the ability to get water . . . The preference is from the village because it is closer.?
While village water is ‘directly across the street,? Lawrence noted the closest township water is 400 yards to the east by the school.
‘I believe we have to have township approval to use village water,? he said.
As for sewer capacity, the township’s water /sewer committee said it couldn’t make a determination until it had a ‘more definitive plan of what the development was going to be,? however, Lawrence noted a township sewer line was close by.
‘So you’d be looking for sewer from the township, water from the village?? asked Commissioner Jack Curtis.
‘If that would be acceptable,? Lawrence replied.
Commissioner Pat Fitchena was skeptical of such an arrangement. ‘We have yet to have an agreement that worked in all the years that I’ve been here between the two entities,? she said.
Commissioner Todd Bell expressed his frustration with the water/sewer committee’s inability to answer the sewer capacity question.
‘We’ve asked the water and sewer committee repeatedly, ‘How big is the bucket??? he said. ‘We don’t know what the capacity is. We may be only at 25 percent capacity right now. We may be at 90 percent capacity now. I don’t know the answer. We keep asking and nobody can give us that information. I don’t understand why.?
Commissioner Tom Berger expressed support for the zoning change.
He said the current light industrial designation is ‘kind of spot-zoned? given ‘it’s not surrounded by a lot of other industrial.?
‘It’s not in an area that’s really beneficial for the community,? Berger said of the current zoning. ‘I’d probably rather see the parcel with single family residential cars pulling in and out? as opposed to a ‘full-blown light manufacturing facility? with all the resulting heavy trucks and traffic.
‘So for me, the RM use is a better use on the property,? he said.
But with regard to the proposed 60 condos, Berger said, ‘I’m not sure of the number of units we can get out of it, but it looks like we can trim it down a little.?
Commissioner Tom Lepping disagreed with rezoning. ‘I don’t think multiple (family) is in the best interests (of the township),? he said, favoring the Master Plan’s office/service use for the land. ‘We’re really lacking in employment opportunities and services.?
Lawrence responded that when businesses are looking for a location, they want ‘access and traffic,? something which M-24 offers, but Lakeville Road does not.
‘If you’re looking for a business or service to be located on those two parcels, I think it’s going to be a long time wait,? he said. ‘And I’m not sure it will happen because the businesses will drive whether it will happen, not necessarily the governing authority that may desire it.?
Despite the planning commission’s recommendation, the rezoning must be still approved by the township board.