The Romeo Observer - Romeo, Michigan: Northern Macomb County's weekly newspaper since 1866

Breaking News

CURTIS OSTRANDER	DUAINE HARDING
ELEANOR TODD	ELMER "BUD" HAHN
GERVASE KILEY	MARIAN SUTTON
ORLO KIRKUM	SLAVA KOKOTOVICH
Browse Full Text...

» Inside

Public Notices
Links
About Us
News Stands
Subscriptions
Editorial Forms
Archives

» Deadlines

Friday, 2 pm
Inserts

Friday, 5 pm
Retail Display
Editorial

Monday, Noon
Classified Display
Service Directory Display

Monday, 2 pm
Service Directory Liners

Monday, 3 pm
Classified Liners

All Holiday Deadlines are One Full Workday Earlier

Residents against Washington
Township rezoning request

by LISA LICARI
Observer Special Writer

      Alfreda Kemp has lived on her Washington Township land off of 27 Mile Road, east of Van Dyke, for 50 years. She's ready to "finish the concept" of her land.
       Her concept includes turning the remaining 3.26 acres, five lots, into a professional building and condominium complex.
       But before she can do that, the Washington Township Planning Commission must rezone the land from single-family residential to professional office and multiple-family residential<something her neighbors are fighting against.
       "It's zoned right now as single-family residential and that's the way the whole neighborhood would like it to stay," said Tralene Mannino.
       Mannino was one of a dozen residents who voiced their opposition of a possible zoning change during a public hearing on Kemp's rezoning request Thursday night at the Washington Township Municipal Building.
       All of the residents in opposition are worried what would happen to the "quiet, country-like atmosphere" that they currently have, voicing concerns about increased traffic and decreased safety for the children in the area.
       "Our lives will be directly affected by the decision you make and I'm sure you're aware of that," said Robert Budzyn.
       They're also concerned that their investments will suffer.
       "I think it will hurt our property value," said Jennifer Stevanovski. "We'll be sandwiched between a church that's expanding and a commercial building if this goes through. We don't even know (for sure) what's going to be built."
       Fazal Khan, who will prepare the site plan for Kemp, said that they plan on developing 16, 2-bedroom condominium units at the back of the property, some of which would be two-stories high. Each condominium will have a two-car garage, with a driveway for each unit.
       The condominiums would be accessible from Edmond Road, which would be paved. They have no intention of creating an access off of Cathey. Additionally, a professional office building would be created at the front of the property, off 27 Mile Road.
       "I hope to improve the community by putting up this professional building. It will add greatly to that part of 27 Mile Road," Kemp said, adding that the development would fit in with the "village concept" that's already in use around her property.
       The property to the south and west of Kemp's land is zoned both single-family residential and village district. Currently there are homes and Alward's Shopping Center to her south and a car wash, Alward's Shopping Center and homes to her west.
       A sewer system will also be installed, which is also of concern for area residents who are worried they may be assessed to pay for the sewer system's installation.
       "The underground storm sewer will help the whole area," Khan said. "Nobody's going to be charged for that. It will all come out of Mrs. Kemp's money."
       Kemp has not tried to sell the property as it is currently zoned, saying that it's not feasible because "the parcels are way too large."
       According to Khan, four houses could be built on the property as it is currently zoned. Homeowners near Kemp's land said they would have no problem with single-family homes being built on the land.
       "Why would it be approved (for rezoning) if she can sell it as it's zoned?" Budzyn asked commissioners. "She hasn't proved it can't be sold."
       Questions regarding the site plan for what Kemp plans on building on the property were also addressed by the residents, who were concerned about what the area may look like when construction is complete. However, no definite answers were provided, or had to be, as the request was only in regards to having the property rezoned.
       "This is a rezoning not a site plan review. If we approve this rezone, then she'll have to come back with a site plan," said planning commission chairperson William Scarborough, adding that if the rezone is approved, "she'll have to design a site plan that meets all of our ordinances."
       "If we were to rezone, it sounds like there are a lot of questions that need to be worked out with the site plan," he said.
       Some residents have already questioned what their next step would be if the planning commission were to approve the rezoning request.
       "If the citizens are unhappy with the planning commission's decision, you can file circuit court action," said Christine Anderson, the township's attorney.
       The Washington Township Planning Commission will vote on the rezoning request at its next meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Washington Township Municipal Building.