Brandon Twp. – Township officials say not since the attempt to establish a noise ordinance has the Brandon Township Planning Commission faces such a large number of residents at their planning sessions.
However on Sept. 14 more than 40 residents attended a rezoning meeting that would change the zoning status of 20 acres along M-15 from commercial to residential single family dwellings.
The parcel is within a proposed 64 acre Long Lake Village subdivision project, which Silverman Development is planning to build 94 single family homes between Tully and Long lakes. The plan also establishes that a water supply source and wastewater treatment plant will be included within the development.
The site plan for the project was approved by the Planning Commission on Aug. 24.
‘It’s basically a redefinition of the boundary limits between residential and commercial,? said Silverman Development Manager Jeff Helminski who explained the rezoning will align the 20 acre commercial parcel to match with the residential boundaries.
‘The purpose (for the rezoning) was to keep consistency of residential zoning’so that it can be used as residential.?
Helminski said that while the commission meeting was to approve the rezoning, residents asked a number of questions related to the site plan itself rather than the rezoning issue.
Originally 44 acres of the site was zoned multiple family dwelling which would allow for a potential 130 single family homes or 240 apartments.
‘Developing the plan to 94 units has been a long and rigorous process,? said Helminski. ‘We look at the project as a win for the township with half the amount of units, relative to the number of potential apartments and it’s an alternative housing opportunity that is not available in the township right now.?
At an open house hosted by Silverman on Sept. 9 residents expressed concern for the safety of the wetland environment surrounding the development as well as draining or leaching their own established well systems.
Helminski told the neighbors with respect to aquifers and neighboring wells, extensive testing has been conducted by Silverman and will be followed by extensive multistep design and engineering process reviews from the Department of Environmental Quality to determine if a well can go into the project or not.
Currently the DEQ is in the process of reviewing the site plan before the well design and wastewater treatment site can be approved or disapproved.
Several residents addressed disturbing wetlands and the inhabitants, which Helminski responded by stating that of the 68 acres, 28 are wetland, and only .13 of an acre will be impacted by a conservancy easement with protective barrier fencing.
‘We are not going to do anything to ruin the environment of this property,? Helminski said. ‘Don’t forget, the homeowners who purchase those homes want the same thing you want.?
‘During the DEQ review process they have to evaluate the effects (of the development) on wetlands,? Helminski said.
Although the site plan has been approved by the planning commission, in compliance with state zoning law requirements, Silverman’s project must pass a multi-layered DEQ approval process before the project will begin.
The planning commission did recommend to the township board, approval of rezoning the 20 acres from commercial to single family residential to maintain consistency with the project.