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Posted: 07/11/12

Bruce planners to
consider 98-acre rezoning

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      A rezoning request could open the gates for a 100-plus bed nursing facility coming into Bruce Township.
       Darryl Racz of Racz Construction approached the Planning Commission on June 27 asking for the rezoning of 98 acres of land in the hopes of bringing a significant development to the area.
       The rezoning will go before the Planning Commission at its July 25 meeting.
       Racz said the amendment would change a contract zoning he received five years ago from the township for a parcel on 33 Mile and McKay roads.
       He said a gas line on the property can be crossed, cannot be built on nor be parked on, so it is causing difficulties for developing the property.
       "Now we recognize that we should probably just go all the way up to the gas line," he said.
       Racz said he would have the gas line as a natural divide by keeping the M-1 (manufacturing) zoning between 33 Mile Road and the gas line and maintain the RM-1 (residential multiple family) contract zoning on the balance of the property.
       A contractual rezoning allows the township to tie conditions to a rezoning, such as density levels, but those conditions must come from the applicant.
       Along with the rezoning, Racz presented a preliminary site plan that includes a 106-bed nursing facility that would be located on the property. It would be a 57,000 square-foot single-story building.
       Another building in the site plan would be an assisted living building. Racz said they would not only bring 200 jobs to the area, but help the township sell sewer taps.
       "It's in the sewer and water district," Racz said. "We're going to be using a significant amount of sewer and water, which will be helpful in paying the debt the township has."
       Potential developments on the site plan include a hospital expansion and research and development facility in the future.
       "We are currently talking to two hospitals which have shown significant interest in being in northern Macomb County," Racz said. "We're very close to coming back to you for site plan review."
       Racz said he would like to keep the RM-1 portion with 170 units with the sewer capacity that was set aside for a senior housing facility.
       "I still believe that there is a need for senior housing for 55 years of age or older, it's just not the appropriate time," he said.
       Community Planner Chris McLeod said the rezoning will follow the normal process, which includes a public hearing and approval from the Board of Trustees.
       "The Master Plan has been changed since then, the zoning map and district have been changed as well, so all of those will have to be considered as part of the rezoning itself," McLeod said.
       Outside of the meeting, Clerk Susan Brockmann said the development would be great for the township, as more jobs could mean more residents moving to the area.
       "It's good not only for us, but the surrounding communities," she said.