Brandon Twp.- As soon as March, as many as 20 trucks an hour hauling gravel could be southbound on M-15 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Saturday, for as many as 90 days.
Despite objections by several residents at a Jan. 9 public hearing, the planning commission approved, by a 5-0 vote, a plan by Silverman Development Group to excavate 170,000 yards of material from a 48-acre parcel of land located off M-15 behind and to the north of Solley’s Appliance and Fireplace Center.
‘I’m comfortable with the decision,? said Building Director Tim Palulian. ‘We’ve done due diligence and we’ve reviewed the project with considerable depth, realizing it could have considerable impact. We didn’t take this lightly.?
Silverman first pitched the project idea to the township almost a year ago. The planning commission sent back plans to the Detroit-area development company following their Aug. 16 meeting, citing truck traffic and environmental impact as major concerns.
At the hearing last week, Township Planning Consultant Doug Lewan noted that Silverman had addressed issues, including impact to adjacent sites, traffic impact, and site restoration.
Several residents voiced concerns about the impact to wetlands that are adjacent to the land that will be excavated, as well as concern about their own property that backs up to the land; traffic; and the state the land will be left in when the excavation is finished.
One solution given by Silverman Development Company President Steve Robinson will be a 25-foot buffer around the excavation site. A soil erosion plan has been submitted for review by the county and an environmental impact assessment has been provided.
‘We appreciate the efforts of the planning commission and the public, and are confident the work that will be done will not interfere with the community.?
Township Engineer Tom Behl noted two major reviews have been done and the final grade for the excavated land will leave it 7-10 feet above the water table, enough for basements to be constructed on the property in the future.
The land is zoned residential, although as of now, Silverman has no plans for the property, another concern to current neighbors of the property.
Comments at the hearing included concerns the property would be an eyesore; that it would attract four-wheel recreational vehicles, dirt bikes, and parties; and that it couldn’t be balanced by removing so much material.
Planning Commission Chairman Joseph Rohovsky stated the property would be seeded and more desirable than its current state, and trespassers would not happen.
The commission approved the plan with several conditions attached, including the 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday hours, the 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday hours; work to be completed within 90 days (if not, Silverman must reapply to continue); and all requirements set forth by the township planner and engineering consultant met, as well as all proper permits obtained, including soil, and those from the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Department of Environmental Quality, if necessary.
‘We’ve worked on it a long time and the outcome will provide maximum protection for people going up and down M-15, as well as maximum protection for residents that back up to the project,? said Palulian, who acknowledged that the trucks may cause some back-ups on southbound M-15, with trucks that are headed for southbound I-75 and a Silverman project near Great Lakes Crossing. ‘I feel very confident it will go relatively smoothly… It’s to everyone’s advantage to get them in, loaded, and out of there with the least amount of hiccups.?
Not everyone was confident the project would be smooth.
‘Between the sand and dust, we’re going to get buried,? said neighbor Dan French. ‘We’re concerned about the wetlands. When you look at the drainage and holding basins, they don’t appear to be enough during rain or heavy snow.?
‘They totally ignored our concerns and passed the project,? said Ron Wietecha, whose property also adjoins Silverman’s. ‘This will affect my life. They’re taking 20 feet off of the biggest hill that buffers noise from M-15. This is going to be very bad.?