A proposed condo and office building project could end up causing some problems on Lake Orion’s Village Council.
Councilman Tom Albert, who lives close to the area being developed, along with his neighbor Mark Brancheau, has hired a lawyer to protest the Planned Unit Development.
President Bill Siver on Feb. 14 questioned village attorney Gary Dovre on whether Albert might have a conflict of interest if he does any voting on the project.
Dovre said council members wouldn’t have to deal with the Albert issue that evening, but will have to in the future.
Albert, at a January village planning commission meeting, said councilman Ken Van Portfliet (who represents the council on the PC), had a lot to gain with approving the development because of his involvement with Snug Harbor Marina.
With two councilmen on vacation, the other members declined to set a date for a required public hearing on the preliminary plan. They will try to do so at the council meeting on Feb. 28.
The site is bounded by M-24 on the east, the village-owned ‘Pelton Street? parcel and Lake Orion to the north, Lake Orion and residential parcels on the west, and commercial and residential uses on the south.
Orion Pointe will consist of a three story, 18,510 square foot medical/professional office building and four attached single-family residential units.
Pelton’s Point is also owned by the developers of Orion Pointe and plans call for the property to be used as private open space for the residents of the condominium association. A boathouse on the property will be removed.
The developer has indicated he may pay for a boardwalk on village-owned property to the north.
Albert and Brancheau are also protesting an easement issue and the lack of adequate parking for the condos.
They say the three story proposed condo units dwarfs their property and will limit their enjoyment of their homes.
Dovre told council members it appears that the developer’s revised plans for the site had dealt with any easement issues, that no private rights had been restricted.