By David Fleet

Editor

Goodrich– On Monday night, the village planning commission voted to postpone a request for 120 days to change the zoning from general commercial to multiple-family residential district on about 10 acres at 7293 South State Road just south of Yellow Dog. If the zoning change is approved or denied by the planning commission, a vote by the village council would be the next step in the process.

The discussion of the rezoning and the potential impact of the proposed Atlas Meadows Luxury Apartment Complex on the property drew about 50 individuals of which several were standing in the meeting room in the lower level of the Goodrich Village Offices, 7338 S. State Road. The commission will seek more detailed information regarding infrastructure impact including drainage, traffic flow near the proposed structure, taxation benefits to the village and possible disruption of about three acres of wetlands that border the west side of the property. In addition, the sewer usage will also be part of the investigation.

The multi-building apartment complex proposal, first introduced to the village planning commission on Aug. 22, includes a total of 120 units, each 900 square feet with two bedrooms with two bathrooms. A car port will also be included. The buildings will be located on about 464 foot frontage along M-15, extending 946 feet deep. Due to the wetlands on the property, the front three acres will be left natural with a boulevard drive off M-15 through the wetland area. A welcome center and clubhouse will also be part of the project. The complex will be unique since it will be heated by geothermal and solar energy systems.

Thomas McKenney, village attorney, did not attend the meeting; however, he recommended to the planning commission to delay for 60 days a decision until an impact study can be completed. His statement was delivered by Jakkie Sidge, village administrator.

The project plans were presented by Hanuman Marur of Burton-based Trans Environmental Engineers. Marur said a market study in Oxford, Davison, Grand Blanc and Lake Orion is ongoing to determine the need and projected rent cost of the units.

Det./Sgt George Lieber of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office was invited by the planning commission last month to address possible crime issues if the 120-unit apartment complex is constructed in the village.

“We are not for or against any type of development,” said Lieber. “It’s up to the people of Goodrich to decide. However, anytime there is a population change the potential for police calls goes up. It’s up to the community, we are happy to help. Renters don’t necessarily cause more crime, it’s no gauge. But with a denser population area, crime is often higher.”

“There’s no way for me to say if someone who rents is going to be a problem,” he said.

Village resident Terese Allen opposes the rezoning.

“There’s property zoned for apartments already behind the Dollar General in the plaza,” she said. “Therefore, if this goes through, we could potentially have two apartment complexes in Goodrich. If these apartments are affordable it also opens the door for drug dealers in the community. I’m concerned with the heroin epidemic that’s in Oxford and Brandon coming north to Goodrich. That’s right down the road.”

“We don’t have low income housing in Goodrich,” she added. “This could open the door.”

Craig McAra, associate attorney at Gault Davison, PC of Grand Blanc also attended the Monday meeting representing the developer Trans Environmental Engineers and addressed the concerns.

“We are not talking about $300 a month (rent) apartments,” said McAra. “We are talking about $1,100-$1,200 per month apartments—a classy quality place to live. This (project) will increase the taxbase of this community. Our proposal is for an up-scale community—we have marketing experts study all many areas and this project is a good fit. Right now there’s a great market for young doctors, engineers and white collar workers in Genesee, Lapeer and Oakland counties looking to live in a community like Goodrich.”

McAra works with Auker Properties in Genesee County.

“We have no interest in bringing down the community or criminalizing the village,” he said. “That’s why we run background checks and request credit history of all the tenants and look for red flags such as bankruptcy. This project would benefit the community—I didn’t hear anything but fear on Monday night; however, there’s nothing to fear from this apartment complex. It will bring in lots of tax dollars to the community.”

McAra said the developer did look in Fenton and Linden for a similar apartment complex.

“Those markets are very saturated in housing,” he said. The objections we were hearing to the project are not valid legal objections— enough to warrant the board to reject this project.”

Michelle Imbrunone, school district superintendent, was also invited last month by the planning commission to address questions regarding the proposed project and the possible impact on classrooms.

“The Goodrich Area Schools, like so many Michigan public school districts, has had to use the Schools of Choice model to offset the gaps in enrollment which came in our state during the recent economic downturn. Should we see adjustments in residential area increase, I am certain that the board of education would be supportive of a modified adjustment to our School of Choice programming.”

A potential increase in students would not necessarily end up in one grade level, rather, the hike in enrollment would be spread over the entire district, added Imbrunone.

“We have classrooms right now that are not utilized,” she said. “More students mean more opportunities for all, which allows for more programming opportunities districtwide. If the commission accepts or denies this rezoning, the district will be supportive and provide education to all students.”