By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
Beginning Monday, work started on a premium condo development going in between Bald Mountain Road and the plaza that houses K-Mart and Hollywood Markets.
The 15-acre property was purchased a year ago by Bloomfield Hills-based Contour Development Group after eyeing the piece of land for several years. The site plan was approved by the Orion Township Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, September 2 and Contour had several issues that they had to address.
‘With their initial submittals, the engineer and the planner were not pleased so they had to go back and forth with them,? commission chairwoman Carol Thurber said. ‘They didn’t have enough space between buildings to meet site plan requirements but they took care of all that.?
Contour worked with both the township’s engineer and the planner to develop a layout that would satisfy the township’s requirements. Despite the changes, representatives from Contour said the township was very easy to work with and with development underway they’re not wasting any time.
‘The Ponds of Orion? development will feature between 32 to 54 units with each building hosting four units. Four large ponds will be added for exterior decor and the complex will sport a clubhouse, pool, and fitness center.
‘It’s a really nice spot for a really nice development,? Project Manager David Devukaj said. ‘It’s something that will shine in the area. Lake Orion has huge, huge upside and potential.?
Each unit will range in size from 1,800 to 2,200 square-feet and will feature granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and two car garages. According to Devukaj, they’ve already began clearing land to make way for the entrance roads and they’re looking at adding basements by November.
‘We’re bringing something to the area that nobody else has,? he said. ‘We want to bring something that’s very custom to the area.?
The Ponds at Orion has an expected completion date of fall 2016. Contour Development Group is also adding 12 additional condominiums to the already existing Barrington Cove condominium complex which sits off Lapeer Road, north of Scripps.