Brandon Twp.- The future of Long Lake Village moved one step closer to reality on Monday.
The site plan of Silverman Development of Bingham Farms, Mich. was approved to develop 64 acres west of M-15 just north of Seymour Lake Road
On Aug. 24, the planning commission approved a portion of the project to include 94 single-family homes on 48 acres near Tully and Long lakes interlaced with more than 17 acres of wetlands. A public hearing and final approval by the township board will be scheduled.
Township planner Dave Donnellon, advisor to the commission, said the wetlands are highly designated in the township master plan’an issue of priority Silverman developer representative Jeff Helminski also emphasized.
‘The priority for us is to protect nearly all the wetlands on this site,? Helminski said. Wetlands are defined by vegetation in the area.?
The entrance to the Long Lake Village development has been moved to avoid wetlands, and the lot sizes have been shifted and reduced in size to avoid encroachment on wetland vegetation, added Helminski.
In addition Helminski estimated there are only a few areas of fill dirt which effects less than a tenth of an acre per area. The total wetland acreage is 30, Helminski said.
The Department of Environmental Quality requires that should a third of an acre of wetlands be disturbed, mitigation, or redesignation of wetlands is required.
While Helminski said that wetland encroachment is minimal on a limited number of lots, permanent markers will be placed to outline the area on each parcel that abuts the wetlands.
Documentation will also be included in the master deed as well as association bylaws. Deeds to properties near wetlands will also include protective punitive restrictions with regard to lawn fertilization and mowing limitations.
A conservation easement will also be established for access by the DEQ, and a locally designated conservation steward to routinely inspect and monitor the property surrounding the wetlands.
Should a property owner disrupt the area, they will be legally bound by the DEQ, the deed, and the association to restore the wetland, said Helminski.
‘Public access to monitor would be defeating the purpose of protection but the more sets of eyes you have, such as the township or a conservancy group, the better,? Helminski said.
Details of the proposal include plans for an independent commercial grade water supply system, which would maintain enough water pressure to support the area homes and a fire hydrant system. A waste water treatment facility is also scheduled to be housed within the 48 acre parcel.
Additional details to the plan include extensive well testing studies of underlying aquifers and research of area well records to avoid impact on existing area wells.
Because the site is located at M-15 near Seymour Lake Road, Helminski said a deceleration, southbound turn lane and a northbound right lane will be added to M-15.
Although Silverman has not yet designated a builder, Helminski said the two-story homes will be a minimum of 2,200 square feet. Prices for the homes once considered for first time buyers has been increased to the mid-$350,000 range.