Brandon Twp.- Joe Rohovsky has watched the township grow by leaps and bounds during his 38-year tenure as a member of the planning commission.
When Joe Rohovsky joined the planning commission in 1969, there were few residents and he recalls the only businesses in the community were the A&W Drive-In, Hamilton’s, Arrants Ford and Owens Chevrolet dealerships (now Randy Wise and Simms), the Food Ranch grocery store (in the plaza where O’Malley’s Galley now is) and another restaurant where MacPhee’s Restaurant is now.
‘I built my home here when it was country,? says Rohovsky, 72, who moved to the township in 1965. ‘I had no concerns about development, except maybe the lack of.?
He joined the planning commission because he felt he could be of use to them. Rohovsky noted that very few companies wanted to build in the township because of the lack of an economic base, but in the early ?80s, growth took off and the community saw residents move in from cities like Southfield, Auburn Hills, Pontiac, and Rochester. He believes they were attracted to the Brandon School District, as well as more property being available and more open space.
As the population of the township increased, so did commercial interest. Rohovsky said the planning commission never anticipated some businesses coming here, such as Frosty Boy, Little Caesar’s, and McDonald’s, which is now open 24 hours.
Since the mid- to late-?90s, he has seen more discontent from residents who moved here for the rural atmosphere as companies purchase property for residential and retail developments.
‘A lot of people say they moved here for the open space, but unfortunately, you can’t stop development,? Rohovsky said. ‘People have the right to build.?
He has seen controversy, particularly when proposed gravel mining is involved, although the commission has shot such proposals down, including a proposed gravel mine off M-15 north of Solley’s, where Silverman Development is now planning on putting an apartment complex. The complex is a project that has drawn controversy, he says, only because the residents consider it one.
‘To me, it’s only a controversy because they want to cross the wetlands,? he said. ‘Legally, they are zoned correctly.?
As planning commission chairman, Rohovsky deals with the emotions of residents. He has seen residents who built their homes around an existing farm and then wanted to shut it down. Others are upset by new development. He has seen controversy, particularly when proposed gravel mining is involved, although the commission has shot such proposals down, including a proposed gravel mine off M-15 north of Solley’s, where Silverman Development is now planning on putting an apartment complex. The complex is a project that has drawn controversy, too, he says, although it is legally zoned and to him it is only a controversy because they want to cross wetlands.
‘I used to get phone calls in the middle of the night,? Rohovsky says. ‘For the longest time, I had an unlisted number. It’s 75 percent emotion and 25 percent actual facts that our residents are dealing with. Some people think we don’t care, not true. We are serving on these boards and it sure isn’t for the money.?
Planning commission members, he explains, put in a lot of time and effort before meetings, reviewing sites, and making sure they are familiar with what people are asking for. The biggest issue they face today is the wetlands ordinance.
‘I think we’re going in the right direction,? says Rohovsky. ‘We really don’t have that much left in the township that can be developed commercially. Residential is fine, and we still have a lot of open space.?
Rohovsky has enjoyed his time on the planning commission, but is resigning to spend more time with his granddaughters, and believes it is time for someone else to get involved. The retired GM employee plans to continue volunteer work with Lighthouse and the schools and says he has no intention of moving out of the township.
His last planning commission meeting is Dec. 11.