Homeowners in a Clarkston subdivision remain watchful over a developer’s plan to build 69 homes on 26 acres of land.
Michael Furnari proposed the development on property just south of I-75 on the east side of Dixie Highway at Deerhill Drive.
Furnari was recently denied a development in Ann Arbor to build 70 homes on double the amount of property than his Clarkston plan.
Independence Township Supervisor Pat Kittle said Furnati needs to do a lot of work to get approval for his Clarkston-area project.
Kittle said township officials share the concerns as resident, and Furnari must iron out numerous details of the plans.
In August 2014, Furnari’s initial site plan, for an empty-nest condo community, including a neighborhood association to care for the sub, was approved by the township planning commission.
Furnari changed plans when seeking final approval. Plans were to build much larger homes, which allowed families with kids and up to four cars.
Such change require different zoning, and more amenities. ‘You can have a family neighborhood with no back yard,? Kittle said.
Furnari insists homes are geared towards empty nesters, and a plan for large colonial homes was his mistake and homes are not geared towards families.
Furnari said he addressed concerns made by officials, residents and township consultants and created a revamped site plan.
Townships officials disagree. Engineering and planning consultants remain concerned over numerous issues from grading to landscaping.
As it stands, the plan lacks natural space, landscaping , tree buffering, sewage, drainage and utility easement space, with too many homes, and too little green space, Kittle said.
‘Its not suitable for his current plans and lacks needs to be a neighborhood for families,? he said.
Plans also violate township ordinances, which Kittle said is unacceptable.
In the plan, houses are built close to Dixie Highway and right up to the rear of existing homes on Deerhill Drive. It also calls for storm water to drain into Deer Lake Farms, an area with numerous wetlands, creeks, and lakes including nearby Deer Lake.
Drainage issues were also addressed, but grading the property remained a concern.
Furnari has been told several times, the plan must change, Kittle said.
He said Furnari needs a solid development plan that matches his initial request.
Chelsea O’Brian, a resident in the neighborhood, said the development plans lacks water quality studies.
Clear cutting and mass grading 26 acres of Deer Lake watershed will negatively affect water, she said.
‘I and members of my team request that proactive measures be taken to ensure protection of our city’s pristine Deer Lake and the adjoining fragile wetlands, not to mention our resident’s wells,? she said.
Residents are concerned with a consent judgment, timing of the purchase, and lack of disclosure to adjoining neighborhoods.
Kittle said the township shares the same concerns, and residents should have faith in the planning commission.
‘We have engineers, architects and buildings on our planning commision. They are smart people who know what they are doing,? he said. ‘They will get the job done ? Furnari needs to understand it’s the planning commission that steers the bus as far as what is acceptable to the community, not the developer.?
Until he irons out plans and meets all requirements, he will not be added to the commission’s agenda. Even if the planning commission approves the plan, the township’s board of trustees must grant final approval.