Mark Brancheau believes he’s as close to a ghetto as he ever wants to be.
The South Broadway homeowner lives near the area known as Pelton’s Pointe in the Village of Lake Orion.
For the past few years, the property and nearby houses have been for sale. At one time, Larry Paine, restaurateur, wanted to build a restaurant at that spot, but wasn’t able to get his plans past the village’s planning commission.
Winfire Companies bought the property in July 2003. It has been trying to get approval for a site plan since then.
Brancheau, who has lived in his house for eight years, has made several appearances before the village council describing the property as deplorable and unsafe.
The latest appearance was Nov. 14.
‘It’s something out of the ghetto. There’s been four fires since I’ve been here and not all during the current owners,? he said,
One of the houses on Winfire’s property burned down this year. Another was demolished.
Brancheau said he’s worried about two vacant houses (200 and 204 South Broadway).
He described them as dilapidated. ‘I’m concerned about the safety of my family. No one is living in those homes. I don’t know if any utilities are on,? he said.
Brancheau would like to see the property condemned. He requested a report from the fire chief, police chief and a building inspector on the conditions of the property.
A formal hearing before Judge Lisa Assadorian on violations at the two houses took place in June 2004. The company was ordered to correct then.
According to ordinance officer Chuck Mclaughlin, most of the violations were corrected in the specified time. The company asked for and received a two week extension to complete the work.
More maintenance citations were issued on Winfire property in 2005.
Winfire Companies hopes to construct an office building and waterfront condos on the site. The development will be called Orion Pointe.
One of the partners in the development, Dr. Carl Sarnacki told council members on Nov. 14 he believes all the property maintenance issues have been taken care of or dismissed by a judge.
He said at least one of the houses has no utilities. Council president Bill Siver said he saw people coming out of one of the houses this past summer..
‘It appeared people were being let in who were using the boat marina. This isn’t getting any better. There’s a lot going on here and none of it’s good,? he added.
According to Lake Orion Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel, Winfire is soon submitting another revised site plan.
‘They’re making an effort to solve the problems. They’ve already torn down three structures. They’ve done repair on some of the houses so that the court dismissed the problem,? she said.
‘Once the project gets approval (probably in the spring) then the houses will go bye bye.?
Siver asked what the village should do in the meantime.
‘There’s holes in the roof; shingles are gone. People are going in whenever they choose. We’re only asking you to maintain the houses so it doesn’t look like blight,? Siver told Dr. Sarnacki.
Sarnacki told the council he would look into the complaints.
Brancheau also said the owners of Pelton’s Pointe are operating an illegal marina.
Winfire Companies does have a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality marina operating permit for 18 boats.
According to Brancheau, more boats are being parked in front of the vacant homes. And he believes people who are using Pelton’s Pointe Marina are parking their vehicles on village property.
There’s also a question whether people accessing boats moored at the marina may be parked on property not part of the marina, but owned by the same owners.
‘I hope to get this resolved before next year,? he added.
According to Jerry Richards, a member of the Lake Orion Lake Association, the state says boat slips can’t be rented in front of homes for commercial use. If they were, a marina permit would be required.
Brancheau said during the summer months, he called the police to get the cars out of there. People were also coming in and out of the area all night long.
‘We’re parking in an area where people have parked for 50 years,? Sarnacki said.