The rumors are finally true.
On March 15 Orco Investments Inc. of Troy, the developers interested in bringing the well-discussed ‘big box? stores to Independence Township, have filed a rezoning request with the Independence Township building department.
The developers are requesting to rezone approximately 70 acres of property located north of Waldon Road and west of Sashabaw Road, near the I-75 interchange, from R-1A single family residential to C-2 planned shopping center and C-3 highway commercial.
Although the zoning request does not state specifically what plans Orco is developing for the property, the application contains a ‘Trip Generation Forecast? showing the following: a free standing discount superstore; home improvement superstore; shopping center; gasoline station; high-turnover, sit-down restaurant; quality restaurant; drive-in bank; hotel and assisted living structure.
According to a disclaimer at the top of the document, the purpose of the ‘Trip Generation Forecast? is not to show proposed uses for the site, but to illustrate an intensive use of the site under proposed zoning classifications. In the rezoning process, developers do not have to present a site plan.
‘The ‘big box? is something we don’t feel fits in our township at all,? said Supervisor Dave Wagner in an interview. ‘This is a small, quaint bedroom community and we want to keep it this way.?
And according to Neil Wallace, Citizens for Orderly Growth (COG) agrees.
Since the rezoning request was filed, COG has already posted an initial analysis of the application on their website, as well as the four-page planning analysis and a portion of the traffic study. A local appraiser is reviewing the ‘economic feasibility study,? which determines whether or not the land can be developed profitably as zoned, and members are in the process of looking at the traffic study for sound premises, conclusions and accuracy.
In addition to all this, COG committees are researching the various concerns ? such as economic impact, type of crime impact, traffic impact, impact on demand for additional services form the township and any possible environmental concerns with the site ? surrounding the ‘intensive use? development concept.
‘We are going through this carefully,? said Wallace. ‘There is a lot of information to review.?
As of Monday at 5 p.m., Orco Investments Inc. had not been added to any planning commission agendas. The individual answering the phone at Orco Investments declined comment or to transfer to another representative.
Wagner stated the developer will not be treated any differently than any other individual requesting a rezoning.
‘There’s no other way to do it,? he said.