Nearly two years in the making, the ball has finally started rolling for the Hills at Indianwood subdivision.
The Orion Township Board of Trustees voted on Jan. 21 to sign a development agreement with developer Terry Nosan, and to OK a rezoning of 204.5 acres from Suburban Estates to Suburban Ranch. The property is east of Baldwin Road, north of Friendship Park.
A number of ideas had been tossed around about the project, which at one time included mention of a golf course at Friendship Park to be run by the township.
“I would have liked to have seen that 9-hole golf course,” said supervisor Jerry Dywasuk. “But I know (Orion Township Fire Chief) Jeff Key is waiting to see that firehouse go up.”
Dywasuk referenced plans to build another township fire station near the development off Baldwin Road.
As part of the development agreement approved by Nosan and Orion Township, the project is limited to 109 single-family residential lots and/or site condominium units.
Clerk Jill Bastian said she could not support the agreement or rezoning, because she thought there were still too many homes
“It will still mean one and a half times as many homes as that area was intended for,” she said. “At planning meeting after planning meeting, the (idea) was to leave large acreage undeveloped.
“If it went with the master plan, I could support it. It seems hypocritical for me to support it…We’ve said no to other people and I can’t in good conscience give this man an exception,” said Bastian.
Trustee Eric Wilson said he was against the agreement because he thought there were issues to be developed in other area, but that he was for the rezoning.
“We’re clustering these homes and saving the open space,” he said.
Other terms included in the development agreement are: Nosan will construct a vehicular connector drive between the residential subdivision and Indianwood Road, which shall be private and have a 30-foot wide easement.
Adjacent to Indianwood Road, there may be a gate, provided, however, that the fire department is provided with a means of access. Nosan will also extend public water to the property, with a 16-inch watermain along Baldwin, through the subdivision, and north to Indianwood, then east along Indianwood.
Also, to reimburse Orion Township for extending water through Friendship Park, which benefits Nosan’s property, Nosan will reimburse the township $163,500. That amount will be paid at the rate of $1,500 per lot or unit at the time that lot or unit is connected to the water system.
The payments will be deposited in the township’s general fund, because that was how water improvement in Friendship Park was funded. The total amount should be paid in full on or before five years from the date of the rezoning.
In addition, prior to development of the subdivision, Nosan shall execute an agreement to participate in the future establishment of a special assessment district in connection with the Reid and Branch Drain, for the purpose of addressing increased storm water retention to relieve the drain.
Nosan has also agreed to construct a safety path from the entrance of the subdivision, south to the existing safety path adjacent to Friendship Park. He will also construct a chain link fence in wooded areas, and a PVC rain in open areas, along the southern boundary of his property bordering Friendship Park. Maintenance of both fences will be the obligation of the Hills at Indianwood Homeowner’s Association.