Atlas Twp.-A new Grand Blanc Township subdivision could have a major impact on Goodrich Schools in a few years.
At issue is the proposed development of 315 acres near Vassar and Baldwin roads in Grand Blanc Township. If approved, the property located in Goodrich School District will be comprised of 538 units a combination of both condominiums and stick-built homes. The plan was first presented on Oct. 30, 2002 by developer Glendale Farms partnership from Bloomfield Hills, Mi.
Since then, several Goodrich officials are grappling with the development according to planners more than 1,000 additional students will be added to Goodrich Schools. The estimated increase is based on 1.9 students per household.
“This project will make an impact on our schools,” said Raymond Green, Goodrich Schools superintendent.
“Grand Blanc Township has given the go-ahead (for the project) and yes we would anticipate growth starting in a year-and-half or so. Somewhere between 500-1,000 students may be heading toward our district.”
Green said the increase is a mixed blessing and at some point the facilities are going to become crowded.
“We’ve made an effort to keep small, but if the project does push us into a new building, the growth gives the schools the financial abilities to adjust. We don’t have control over the growth.”
Currently about 2,075 attend Goodrich Schools, up about 60 students, or 3 percent over the 2002-2003 school year. In the fall of 2003 a new Middle School was opened. Oaktree Elementary was opened seven years ago.
Green added that student enrollment to about 2,500 will require additional classroom space in Goodrich Schools.
“I’m not sure we can do anything about the development, except attending the meetings and expressing our concerns, a citizens,” said Paul Dugan, Atlas Township Planning Commission chairman after reviewing the Grand Blanc Township site plan.
“They’re not growing cows any more. They’re now growing chimneys.”
Although options for township officials are limited with regard to the development, many are actively opposed to the plan.
“As taxpayers we passed two millages in the 1990s and expanded the high school and other facilities,” said Rick Misek, Atlas Township Planning Commission Vice President.
“Grand Blanc Township as a community is encouraging commercial and industrial development; that produces a high tax base. Grand Blanc Township is proposing high-density housing in our school district, housing for their growing industrial district. It makes sense in my mind for their school district to prepare for their growth—not us. I don’t think the residents of Atlas Township want to go for another millage.”