The Addison Twp. Board of Trustees unanimously approved a site plan Monday night to build a new resident house on the property of St. Augustine’s House, contingent upon the fire chief’s recommendations that certain fire safety issues be changed.
St. Augustine’s, located on E. Drahner Rd., is a Lutheran monastery located on 40 acres, with a community house capable of sleeping four retreatants or guests, a religious community member residence, chapel, tool barn and garage.
Father Richard Herbel said the new 3,345-square-foot ranch-style residence, which will be located on the north side of the chapel, would house four more permanent or semi-permanent residents, and would be equipped with four bedrooms, a small living area and a full-sized basement for office space or a library.
Eventually, a covered walk-way would be constructed leading from the house to the chapel.
Herbel said they’ve wanted to build another residence on the premises ever since the new chapel was built seven years ago.
‘We’re still very preliminary,? he said, noting that a contractor hasn’t been selected for the work yet. ‘We’re hoping to get the building enclosed before the snow flies. We’re rooting for global warming at this point.?
Herbel said they were shooting for a total cost of $200,000, but construction bids for the project are coming in between $240,000-250,000.
He said the costs would be mostly covered by their general fund and by two associate members of the monastery who are planning to live in the new building.
Addison Twp. Fire Chief George Spencer recommended the monastery either install an underground cistern with a minimum useable water supply of 30,000 gallons or install a pond to hold 120,000 gallons, and to install an emergency access key box for emergency personnel’s use.
If you’d like to contribute toward the new resident house, please send donations to: St. Augustine’s House, 3316 E. Drahner Rd., Oxford, MI 48371. Please designate it for ‘New Resident House.?