Scenic easements are no longer the topic of choice when discussing development plans for the Pine Knob Golf Course. Now the main issue is apartments.
On Dec. 6, the Independence Township Board of Trustees voted unanimously not to lift the scenic easements covering the back nine holes of the golf course. The request was made by AAC Acquisitions as part of a proposal to construct 150 detached condominiums on the back nine holes, located near Sashabaw Road and I-75.
In response to the decision, AAC Acquisitions and AVC Investments (the owners of the golf course, mansion, carriage house and surrounding land parcels) are expecting to submit a proposal for developing apartments.
‘A plan to construct 114 apartment-style homes will be submitted to the Independence Township Planning Commission in the early spring of 2006?? said AAC Acquisitions in a press release dated Dec. 7.
‘Given the millions of dollars in improvements made to the Pine Knob area since AAC Acquisitions acquired the property, it is disappointing that our proposal was not heard, again,? the press release also stated. ‘We feel this reluctance to negotiate is an embarrassment and disrespectful.?
During the board meeting, several trustees were firm in their stance to not move the scenic easements.
‘My position very clearly is you don’t touch the scenic easements at all,? said Trustee Dan Travis. ‘It is an asset and a value in eternity for Independence Township,?
‘In my opinion, those easements we’ve created in perpetuity, and that means forever,? said Trustee Larry Rosso.
Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen, a Pine Knob resident, said that although the value of her property would decline if apartments are built, she ran on a platform of open space and she will stand by that belief.
Trustees Dan Kelly and Charles Dunn agreed they did not like the idea of apartments on the property, but said they would stand united with other board members to keep the easements intact.
‘If, quite frankly, we’re united in supporting the scenic easements, I support that,? said Kelly. ‘I am concerned though about the proposal for the apartments.?
‘There are a great many hoops these developers will have to go through to build multi-family housing,? stated Dan Travis before the vote.
According to the press release, AAC Acquisitions plans to submit the apartment proposal in the spring of 2006. During this time and through the planning commission phase, the nine holes in question will remain open.
The Dec. 7 press release from AAC Acquisitions concluded, ‘Although it was expressed that there would be ‘many loops to go through? by a member of the board, we feel optimistic that sound management principles rather than politics will be applied to our apartment plan.?