Troy-based Orco Investments Inc. is still looking for approval to build on 70 acres located at the corner of Waldon and Sashabaw roads near the I-75 interchange ? the difficulty is exactly what Independence Township will allow to go there.
On Feb. 27, Orco submitted newly revised plans to the township building department for a residential development. The proposal is currently slated for the April 4 planning commission meeting.
The revised plans are a new version of a residential proposal originally calling for 476-532 single-family homes, townhouses and condos on approximately 65 acres of land, in addition to six acres of commercial development.
According to Supervisor Dave Wagner, the new proposal is greatly scaled down from the original, calling for only around 450 residential units. This averages around 6.8 units per acres, where the maximum previously allowed in the township is 6 units per acre.
‘I still think its got a long ways to go,? said Wagner. ‘When you look at the Master Plan, it does look at that area for an increased density that is not the norm for our township, but this is testing that.
‘There’s still work to be done on it.?
Wagner said the new proposal calls for less commercial area, only about four acres compared with six. He feels there is ‘no way to build anything big there.?
‘I know this is going to be a real hot potato, there’s going to be opposition to it,? Wagner said. ‘I just don’t want to talk about Wal-Mart anymore. They can’t fit a Wal-Mart on four acres.?
Before even considering a residential development, Orco Investments submitted plans in January 2005 calling for a commercial development that included two ‘big box? retailers, a 100-room hotel and several smaller establishments, such as restaurants and banks. Wal-Mart was one of the ‘big box? retailers discussed as an option.
‘I’m tired of hearing about ‘big boxes,?? said Wagner. ‘I’m ready to focus on this.
‘I’m hoping the board will allow the process to go forward, that’s all,? Wagner added. ‘I don’t want to stall the process, it’s already taken long enough. So let it move forward and see what happens. It could all fall apart in six months.?
Representatives for Orco Investments stated in previous meetings that commercial development is the preferred route for the parcel. The commercial development plan still remains on the table.
The April 4 planning commission meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Clarkston Schools Administration Building.