By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
Orion Township trustees preliminarily approved the conditional rezone request of three parcels located adjacent to Skalnek Ford in order to allow the independently-owned company to expand.?
The 4-3 vote Monday night to move forward with the possible rezoning of the parcels to General Business (GB), with conditions, was against the Planning Commission’s recommendation. The Orion Township Planning Commission had unanimously recommended denial of the rezoning December 15 after a public hearing where several residents opposed the changes. ?
Despite the recommended denial, new information presented Monday prompted some trustees to grant the first reading, with the second reading and possible adoption of the rezoning is scheduled for the board meeting March 21.?
Monday’s dissenting votes were cast by trustees Neil Porter, Donni Steele and Mike Flood.?
Two of the parcels ? 862 Markdale and 874 Markdale ? which Skalnek Ford owns under contract,’are zoned as Single Family Residential-3 (R3). The other unaddressed parcel is a split zoning. Part of it is already GB, and the other part is zoned R3.?
If the second reading is approved by trustees, the second step for Skalnek Ford would be to present the site plans for the new parking lot and facility update to the planning commission for possible approval.
Depending on the commissions? approval, and acquiring the necessary building permits, construction of the 7,300 sq. ft. parking lot, containing 250 parking spaces for dealership inventory, as well as updates to the Skalnek facility, could start as early as spring.?
Skalnek representatives argued that without the property rezone, Skalnek cannot meet demands placed on them by Ford Motor Company.?
‘It would permit the dealership to adhere to Ford’s requirements and keep the dealership in Orion Township,? Jim Romzek, legal counsel for Skalnek Ford, said. ‘Ford is trying to get a new look from all the dealerships. It’s not just the parking lot, that is basically step one. Phase two would be the revamping of the facade.??
Treasurer Mark Thurber asked owner and applicant Richard Skalnek if the approval of the rezoning would allow Skalnek Ford to meet all of Ford Motor Company’s demands.?
Richard Skalnek said Ford has not granted initial approval at this point, but that he can assure trustees that would be the ultimate goal.?
First he must own the parcels.?
‘I can’t put the cart in front of the horse. I’m an independent businessman. I don’t need their approval. I’m working for their approval for financial assistance,? he said.?
Much of the Skalnek presentation Monday night addressed the complaints, which ranged from decreasing property values, to increased traffic, potholes, noise, trash, lighting at night, along with other complaints.
Romzek said most of the complaints had never been directed towards Skalnek or his business, and that they were prepared to address all of them.?
‘We will do whatever it takes because we don’t have any other realistic options,? he said.?
Apart from the inventory parking lot, facade updates include a larger showroom, and possible drive-through service doors,? which will face M-24.?
If approved, the parking lot would be constructed just north of the dealership on Markdale Ave.?
‘Let’s face it, the person to the north is going to be pretty drastically affected,? Trustee John Steimel said.
Steimel also sits on the planning commission. ‘We can talk about semantics but let’s just face it, there’s no if’s, ands, or butts, that poor guy is going to be affected.??