Developers have a new plan for the east side of Dixie Highway at Deerhill Drive, calling for higher density and a change in use for the 26-acre parcel of land.
Developer Michael Furnari is requesting 92 rental units, up from 69 in his previous plan. The 69 units in the original plans were for individual homes, and would not have been rental units.
Neighbors remain concerned about the development.
“There will be a dramatic increase in traffic without any pre-emptive addressing of current traffic issues on Deerhill Drive,” said Independence Township resident Chelsea O’Brien. “There is no guarantee residents in the rentals will be an older population like originally planned.”
Another concern is what will happen when 26 acres of land are cleared, she said.
“The lack of environmental impact studies of Deer Lake Watershed, of which the proposed development is a part,” she said. “Please seriously consider the long term impact on Deer Lake Farms, Deer Lake property owners, the Knolls community, Independence Elementary School community and others in the immediate vicinity of what will, if approved without changes, become a highly dense transient community.”
Furnari is slated to appear on Aug. 13 before the Independence Township Planning Commission on the plan, submitted in April. His original development plan was submitted in 2014.
If recommended for approval by the Planning Commission, the plan would go to the township Board of Trustees for final approval.