Lettter to the Editor: Blossom Ridge 'Clearly Headed for the Courts'
Oakland Township resident Francis Hughes offers a compromise on Blossom Ridge in hopes of avoiding litigation.
Dear Editor:
I was attending the Oakland Township hearing on Sept. 26, 2012 relative to the application for a special accommodation use when I realized that there were five attorneys representing the parties (a sixth attorney will likely soon appear) and the matter is clearly headed for the courts. If it does end up in litigation, I would project the total attorney fees to be in the range of $500,000-$600,000 or more, and it will be at least 18 months before it reaches the Michigan Supreme Court or the Federal Court of Appeals.
If, on the other hand, the matter is settled or compromised, most of that legal expense can be avoided and the parties can move on to other endeavors that are just as important if not more important than Blossom Ridge. The only persons that would be seriously affected by a settlement or compromise would be the attorneys, who would, of course, earn less.
The settlement? The main building would be two stories in height and would be 200 feet in length and 220 feet wide, which is 44,000 square feet per floor. There would be 42 living units/apartments per floor, and each apartment would be 800 square feet in size. There would be 21 one-story clusters with each containing four living units of 1,000 square feet (excluding garages). Each such living unit shall be built on a 4,500-square-foot lot which will accommodate the house, an attached garage, a driveway and a front and rear yard.
The developer shall have the option of building the main building in a 220-foot length and a 250-foot width quadrangle configuration with a square or oblong court or outdoor activities, gardens, etc.
Exit and entry driveways would have to be located on Adams Road on the northern end of the parcel, facing Adams Road with separately signed exit and entry lanes. Identical signed lanes would also be located on Dutton Road at the western end of the parcel, facing Dutton Road.
The total number of liing units would be reduced to 168 or 84 in the main building and 84 in the clusters. The quadrangle option might allow up to eight additional living units in the main building for a total of 176 living units in the development.
All living units would have to include modifications for the handicapped, such as wider doorways, lower kitchen cabinets, front loading laundry, appliances, etc. And such other safety features that are required by applicable building codes.
The foregoing proposal is a reasonable settlement taking into consideration that the zoning on the 42-are parcel does allow senior housing as a use, and the reduced number of units would certainly lessen the impact on the surrounding neighborhoods.
Sincerely Yours,
Francis P. Hughes
Oakland Township-Lake Orion Patch accepts letters to the editor. Send yours to oaklandtownship@patch.com. Letters may be edited for clarity and style.
Hot Wine
5:49 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Oakland Township Residents,
Here's an update....on Tuesday 10/9, Board of Trustee Supervisor, Joan Fogler, recommended to the Board that they approve the August 15, 2012 rezoning application submitted by the developer of Blossom Ridge under the Special Accommodation Use (SAU) ordinance. After much debate and resident input the Board VOTED AGAINST the motion to approve the SAU application on a 4 - 3 vote! Trustees Bailey, Thomas, Workings and McKay voted against this motion which in the opinion of the residents and outside legal counsel was the correct legal action by the Board. Following this vote, Trustee Thomas proposed a new motion to neither approve or deny, but to postpone the consideration of the SAU application until the referendum petition process is completed, and if the electorate reject the Blossom Ridge rezoning approved by the Board of Trustees on August 14, 2012, then the Board will consider the SAU application on its merits. Assuming township validation of the submitted petitions, the ballot vote would be scheduled for Feb. 26, 2013 in a special election. If the SAU application is considered due to a rejection of the original rezoning application by the electorate, the newly elected Board which will be sworn into office on Nov. 20, 2012, will be the Board to consider the SAU application.
If you'd like to receive email updates, or find out how you can get involved, email the Blossom Ridge Referendum Action Group @ brreferendumactiongroup@hotmail.com
Concerned
7:39 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
I would like to thank Hot Wine for taking the time to keep residents informed of this very important issue.
I would also like to thank Trustees Bailey, Thomas, Workings and McKay for their thoughtful consideration of the issues surrounding this case and for allowing the citizens of the township to be heard.
Beth
10:05 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
I would also like to thank Trustees Bailey, Thomas, Workigs and McKay for their insight and fortitude to vote down what appeared to be an end-run around the Blossom Ridge Referendum. As has been stated numerous times, no one is against senior housing or residence for the disabled...just the size and scope of this 3-story building that would be completely out of character for Oakland Township.
I would also like to thank Supervisor Fogler for being such a class act after her recommendation for support of the SAU failed. She is always the consummate professional, and beyond gracious to the people she represents.