Some Elizabeth Street residents, whose homes are adjacent to where work is being done, said several rules for construction are already being violated. Those complaints include inability to access the road and their driveways, as well as work being done outside of the permitted hours of operation (in particular, weekend work).
Other concerns included pollution of Kearsley Creek and flooding of nearby homes.
Steve Collin, representing Brandon Development-Lockwood LLC, said the company had seven impact wetland areas covered by a permit approved by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality totaling .95 acres, but was only requesting three areas.
‘We’ve worked diligently to minimize the impact,? said Collin. ‘Given the size of the overall project and the amount of wetlands, we’ve worked hard to protect the wetlands and the Kearsley Creek corridor.?
Ferrara, and boardmembers Bob Harrison and Bill Wright, voted in favor of a motion ‘to approve the developer’s application, based on the benefit to the township and Ortonville area and the minor impact on wetlands area.? The motion also noted that the developer already had approval from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Board member Duane Getzmeyer voted against the motion. Stan Skibo was absent with notice.
The planned development features a restaurant, bank, gas station, general retail space and a 70,000 square-foot market. A total of 669 parking spaces are needed for the project. Each site will have individual wells and draw off two septic systems. No further details or time-line have been provided regarding which businesses are eyeing the property.