Concept plans for a new shopping center in Oxford were approved 5-1 by the township board Oct. 12.
‘Overall, it is a very good plan,? said Trustee Pat Fitchena, who also sits on the planning commission.
Dubbed the ‘Promenade at Watersone,? the future shopping center will sit on an 11.47-acre parcel on the east side of M-24, bordered by Meijer to the north and East Market Street to the south.
It’s being developed by Paul Aragona, of the Clinton Township-based Aragona Properties, and his partner Paul Henderson.
The concept plan calls for 86,651 square feet of retail space spread out in six buildings ? one of which will be a 13,014-square-foot drug store ? and 5,600-square-foot ‘theme restaurant.?
‘This center is different? than similar ones in Rochester Hills, which are ‘life-style? centers geared more toward ‘fashion? and longer periods of shopping, according to Ralph Nunez, president of the Southfield-based Design Team Limited, who spoke on behalf of Aragona and Henderson.
‘This is more for the convenience of day-to-day living,? said Nunez of the proposed Oxford center.
In order to avoid the ‘big box? look, Nunez said the retail buildings are all one story but with ‘increased height? to ‘create more of an architectural statement? that breaks things up.
Pedestrians figure prominently in the shopping center’s concept plan with safety paths along the parcels north, south and west sides.
‘There’s pedestrian circulation all along the perimeter of the development,? Nunez said.
The safety path along the south side, along East Market Street, will continue across M-24, allowing pedestrians to cross the busy state highway should plans for a traffic signal there move forward, Nunez said.
Within the center, a ‘walk system? allows pedestrians to move back and forth safely between the buildings on the east and west sides.
The dominant and unique feature of the shopping center is the 37-foot wide outdoor promenade along the storefronts on the eastern side containing outdoor seating areas, street lights, clock tower, water fountain, planters, doggy park and children’s play area with small equipment and cushioned surface for safety.
The promenade adds a ‘sense of community? and gives the development ‘more of a village center,? according to Nunez.
Originally, the concept plan called for a 7,500-square-foot day care center on the eastern most edge of the parcel, behind the retail buildings.
However, Nunez noted ‘we don’t have a day care user at this time? and later said the center is now ‘off the plan.?
According to Nunez, the developer is ‘probably looking at leaving? the day care center space open for future development, possibly ‘some type of retail service, more toward an office-type of use.?
Treasurer Joe Ferrari, who cast the lone vote against the concept plan, offered a number of criticisms.
‘The last thing this area needs is another drug store,? Ferrari said, noting he would like to see that space ‘scrapped? from the plan. ‘We’ve got enough (drug stores) in Orion and Oxford for us and 500 more people.?
‘Try to get some things this community doesn’t have,? the treasurer advised.
Ferrari also told the developer he believes they will have a ‘tough time? filling the retail spaces ‘because (the) Oxford Mills (shopping center) isn’t full.?
‘I think right now you’re a little bit ahead of your time with all these retail buildings,? he said. ‘I think you’ll have a tough time getting tenants only because the area just hasn’t made it.?
‘If we were that much in need of retail (space), Oxford Mills would be full, but it’s not,? Ferrari explained.
Trustee Sue Bellairs expressed similar concerns.
‘I think you’re going to have empty buildings. Maybe not right in the beginning, but I think you will,? she said. ‘I just hope that you get some retailers (that) are going to stay, some stable people.?
The treasurer also said he did not feel the concept plan offered enough parking, particularly for employees, and suggested, through a failed motion, turning the drug store and day care center areas into either more parking or green/open space.
‘I just think it’s cramming too much in one parcel,? Ferrari explained.
A total of 490 parking spaces would be required for the shopping center. Right now, the concept plans shows 479 spaces.
Despite Ferrari’s criticisms, Fitchena was very complimentary of the developers and their plan.
‘For once we have a developer that is listening to what the planning commission is telling them,? she said, noting she’s ‘seen many changes? on the concept plan that ‘implement the comments made at the planning commission level.?
The trustee was also glad to see how pedestrian-friendly the proposed shopping center is. ‘I love the safety path that surrounds this building site.?
‘I think this is a great concept,? said Fitchena of the overall plan.