LYON TWP. (Mich.) — Developers are preparing another housing project in the Detroit area for a new golf course.
Lombardo Homes has a new plan to redevelop Coyote Golf Club at 28700 Milford Road at the northeast corner between Milford Road and 12 Mile Road. Planners unanimously rejected a larger proposal in 2019, citing concerns about traffic and density. Similar concerns have been voiced again this year.
Carlos Monarrez, a columnist and golf writer for the Free Press, listed the golf course designed by Scott Thacker and built in 1999 as one of Detroit’s best public golf courses. The golf course is still in operation.
Amie Ackerman presented the Coyote Golf Club concept plan to the Township Planning Commission Monday night. The plan visualized 298 houses on 183 acres of land, while also maintaining natural features. This included keeping 77 acres or 42 percent as open space.
Ackerman stated that “we want to maintain spirit and intent” of the masterplan.
The development “Settler’s Ridge” would include 100 townhomes priced at $300,000 across 18 buildings. There would also be 104 single family homes on 95-foot wide lots and 94 on 72-foot wide lots. Prices range from $600,000.00 to a little more than $700,000.00.
Ackerman said that the concept as a whole would be able to make a smooth transition from the light-industrial area to the north to the single family homes in the south and east.
Brian Keesey, the Township Planner, agreed and said that the Planning Department supports the design of the site as well as the retention of the existing features. He said that the density of the project is higher than 229 units allowed by the current masterplan, but that the plan was “not up to date with what we were talking about.”
Keesey stated that “this is in line with our concept in terms of buffering from industrial uses planned in the north, and preservation for the homes in the south and east.” It’s a good match.
New proposal is not par
The development is smaller than Lombardo’s 477-unit proposal from 2019 and a little smaller than SE Metro Property Services’ 310-unit proposal made just over a month ago.
The Settler’s Ridge plan is similar to that of the second proposal, but includes an additional sweetener in the form of a donation. Lombardo offers to donate 8 acres of the Coyote property, which includes the clubhouse for the course and the adjacent parking lot.
Patricia Carcone, Planning Commissioner and Township treasurer, was attracted by the benefit.
She said, “There are so many things that we can do on the property of the clubhouse.” There are many things we could do. We could teach cooking classes there. “You don’t get just a building. You get parking and 8 acres.”
She and the other commissioners were not happy with the 12-foot separation between the homes on the 72-foot wide lots.
Carl Towne, the commissioner said: “I don’t mind density. I like this setup.” “What I find problematic is the distance between the houses on the 72 foot lots. I’m not a fan. The ordinance requires 30 feet between the houses. There should be 20 feet at least.
Branko Branko Mitkovski, the commissioner of Branko Mitkovski, was even more blunt.
He said that the 12 foot spacing was a deal breaker.
He and the other commissioners still noted that increasing the space between these houses would reduce the density, potentially alleviating any concerns.
Another suggestion was to build a road between two cul de sacs.
Traffic Concerns
A new development in a township is usually accompanied by increased traffic. However, a study on traffic impact conducted last month by Fishbeck Professional Services Company concluded that the development wouldn’t have a significant impact on “the adjacent roads network with improvements.” The proposed site access configuration would also facilitate ingress and exit from the site.
The project proposes that three driveways be built to the site. Two will be on Milford Road and aligned with Abbey Lane and Mill River Boulevard. A third would be on 12 Mile Road about 2,200 feet East of Milford Road.
Plans also include paving 12 Mile Road between Milford Road and the driveway of the proposed site. The traffic study also recommends adding left-turn lanes at the south- and north-bound Milford Road driveways as well as right-turn taper at each of these locations.
Keesey noted in a separate letter that it may be necessary to make improvements at the Grand River/Milford intersection.
He wrote: “We request that the Planning Commission and Township Board share their concerns and expectations about the increased traffic along Milford Road, and in particular the Grand River Avenue Intersection, as the public has expressed increasing concerns with every proposed development which will use that intersection to access the freeway.”
Next, the plan will be presented to the township council for their feedback. The process involves several steps, including a preliminary review, public hearing and final approval.
By: Susan Bromley
Title: This Michigan golf course is facing yet another challenge from a housing developer
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/05/13/michigan-golf-course-development-proposal/
Published Date: Sat, 13 May 2023 15:27:21 +0000
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