Board Approves First Reading of Country Creek Commons Amendment

The Oakland Township Board of Trustees voted Tuesday evening to approve the introduction and first reading of .

The amendment would allow the shopping complex, located at Adams and Silverbell roads, to house a veterinary clinic and grooming center, hold special events at the township's discretion and construct a 6-foot by 7-foot LED sign in front of the clock tower on the northwest corner of the intersection.

The vote followed a presentation from Burton-Katzman representative Chuck DiMaggio and a public hearing, during which members of the community voiced their opinions on the proposed changes.

"I’m for this 100 percent," Oakland Township resident Kevin Higgins said. "I think any business that can be in that shopping center is a benefit for Oakland Township because it’ll increase the tax base."

Higgins added, "I think the township really missed the boat when they declined the filling station there," referring to a that did not make it past the Oakland Township Planning Commission.

"I think the sign at the corner here would be great," township resident Joe Tignanelli said.

"We need to open up and not become more restrictive so people can run a business, make money and support the township in any way possible," township resident Terry Gonser said. "We as a township should do everything we can to promote businesses."

Oakland Township resident Robin Buxar also spoke during the public hearing, saying she doesn't know why the township needs another veterinary clinic in addition to the two veterinary clinics in Goodison.

The Board of Trustees ultimately voted unanimously to approve the introduction and first reading of the proposed amendment.

“We spent a year and a half debating this; we’ve put a lot of thought into this," Trustee Marc Edwards said. Edwards also serves on the Oakland Township Planning Commission.

The board will likely conduct a second reading and consider approving the proposed amendment to the Country Creek Commons PUD during its scheduled Sept. 13 meeting, said Oakland Township Manager Jim Creech.

The Board of Trustees also approved private road maintenance work at Kniard and Lakeview roads in Oakland Township and renewed a three-year contract with the Clinton River Watershed Council to provide storm water education services to the township.