Oakland Township voters will have a chance on Feb. 27, to overturn the township board’s decision to rezone a portion of Harvest Corners, a 708-acre housing development, surrounded by Clarkston, Stoney Creek and Lake George roads.
Last August, at the recommendation of the planning commission, the board approved rezoning a 37-acre parcel and 1.95-acre parcel to R-M (multiple) and B-1 (business), respectively.
After the rezoning, a group of residents who oppose the development (Oakland Citizens for Responsible Growth), distributed a petition and collected sufficient signatures to call for the special election.
The group’s position is that the township cannot handle such a large-scale development, and that it does not conform with the township’s master plan.
The August 2006 rezoning represents a little less than 40 acres of the site being developed by the Moceri Company of Auburn Hills.
The phased project would include construction of 523 single-family homes, 281 townhouses, a 40-unit building for senior citizens and a small retail development, said Moceri spokesperson, Kelly Poniers.
Poniers said the portion designated for business (B-1) is less than 1 percent (19,500 square feet) of the total property being developed.
‘That portion would be for Harvest Corner residents to more easily access food staples and services,? said Poniers.
She added that the language on the group’s petition pertains only to the multiple-residential (townhouses) and business properties.
‘They petitioned on the RM (multiple) and B-1 zoning only,? Poniers said. ‘There is no referendum on the ballot against the overall planned development.?
Township Supervisor Jim Creech, who remains neutral on the rezoning issue, said the matter will now be left up to voters to decide.
‘The (opposition) group petitioned for a special election and collected well in excess of the number of signatures needed,? he said. ‘It’s already zoned for residential. Their objection seems to be that the developer is asking for mixed use.?
Creech said Moceri Company has developed other properties in the township, including ‘The Oaklands? at Silverbell and Adams roads.
‘This is the normal response to change,? said Creech. ‘There will be resistance to any larger developments, particularly on green space.
‘I think the developer’s proposal for mixed space, along with the commercial element involved, are what has drawn the resistance,? he said.
Creech added that the property could probably accommodate many more housing units than currently proposed by Moceri.