What is the problem?
The King Rezoning Project is proposing a senior care housing development on the land bordering Hickory Ridge, Dunham Road and adjacent to Dunham Hills Subdivision. Access to this sprawling complex of senior housing will be made from either Hickory Ridge Road or Susan Drive. The housing project includes:
• 76 attached condos
• 180 senior apartments
• 150 assisted living units
• 244 single-family units
• 75 units in a nursing facility
• A sewer treatment plant
How can this happen?
Although his previous request was denied, Mr. King’s team of “community planning consultants” has now modified his original request by purchasing additional land and creating access using Susan Drive (more traffic on Tipsico). There is also a new tactic for zoning approval.
A request to the Highland Planning Commission for “conditional zoning” regarding the property in question has been made. According to the Michigan Townships Association (MTA), a property owner seeking a rezoning of land may voluntarily propose conditions, in writing, regarding the use and/or development of land as part of the rezoning request.
Why should I care?
If the conditional rezoning is approved, the immediate impact will include;
• Loss of the rural atmosphere we sought when we moved to Highland.
• Loss of the natural open-spaced areas provided by the Master Land Use Plan.
• Increase in taxes to pay for the support necessary for this project.
• Staggering environmental impact including: the loss of woodlands, impact on our water table, noise and air pollutants, and the natural increase in vehicular traffic on our rural roads.
When can I speak out against the rezoning?
This should be a concern for all Highland residents. What can we do as a community?
1. Take our voices to an open Planning Commission meeting (to address ideas for possible specific conditions) on Thursday, January 21 2009 at 7:30 at the Township Hall.
2. Write letters to members of the Township Planning Commission or the Board of Trustees expressing our concerns.
December and January are centered on activities with our families and it’s difficult to find the time to become involved in a community rezoning request. Make the time to use your voice to protect Highland. Remember, if this zoning change is made, our families will live with the consequences forever.
I am concerned about the precedent that will be set if this zoning change is allowed. It would change the character of this part of Highland, encourage more commercial ancillary development, and if a sewer system goes in, encourage more development in the surrounding area. Even with all kinds of conditions, the microanalysis previously done proved Highland residents do not want it there.
Posted by: Katheryn Krupa | January 22, 2010 at 01:37 PM