In how many of the fancy, new developments that have changed the look of Lake Orion in recent years would you find a basement with a tree sprouting from it instead of a home?
Well, at least one: the Royal Troon subdivision near Indianwood and Joslyn roads, where residents are claiming developers not only neglected to build on the basement, but also didn’t finish the roads, resulting in serious drainage issues.
The subdivision was developed in the 1989, and, according to Dan Kowalski, president of the homeowners association at Royal Troon, the basement has been sitting amid the finished condos near the Indianwood Country Club for nine years.
‘There’s a ten-foot tree growing out of it, and I believe a carcass of a fox sitting in it,? he said. ‘It’s an eyesore, and a detriment to the sale of condos, and obviously a safety hazard.?
Kowalski and other perturbed residents appealed for assistance from the Orion Township Board at the Oct. 6 meeting, saying that a lack of oversight on the part of the township allowed developers to not finish construction.
‘I don’t know how Orion Township let a developer get away with what they got away with. Now, if I were in his shoes, I’d be laughing all the way to the bank,? Kowalski said. ‘Every one of the residents of Royal Troon assumed when we were moving in that many of these issues would have governance of someone within Orion Township. Had we known then what we know now, many of us would not be paying Orion Township taxes.?
The residents are seeking reduction in property taxes, as well as for the township to take on some of the financial responsibility for the deteriorating roads.
Township Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk said many of the issues, such as the roads, weren’t the responsibility of the board.
‘The township is not in the home-building or contract business,? he said.
The board still approved a motion for the Building Department to continue looking into the drainage problems.
What everyone involved could agree on is that it’s not entirely clear what developer is responsible for putting in the foundation and neglecting it, or any of the other issues that have plagued Royal Troon for more than a decade.
Tom Cupples, an ordinance officer for the township, said there have been at least five different entities involved in the development over the years.
‘None of them want to take any responsibility or admit ownership solely for the responsibilities of making corrections at the site,? he said.
Cupples said he has recently been in contact with Turnberry LLC and MacLeish Building Co. in an attempt to resolve the safety issues the unfinished condo poses in the area. A fence was soon erected around the bare foundation.
Dan MacLeish said the whole thing is a mess, and he isn’t sure who built what and when.
‘I’m trying to figure out how that basement got there,? he said.
According to MacLeish, his company didn’t get involved in Royal Troon until recently, and has been trying to remedy the problems as best as he can.
‘I feel sorry for the homeowners, and we want to do anything we can to help,? MacLeish said.
One of the things holding him back is the tough economy. MacLeish said new construction for his company is down 90 percent.
‘It’s been devastating,? he said. ‘The problem is, things aren’t selling too well, and no one wants to take this on.?
But the problems are bound to get solved, he said.
‘The property is valuable,? said MacLeish. ‘It’s not going to get left there.?