Travel down any of the roads leading to the proposed Harvest Corners housing development in Oakland Township, and you’ll notice a plethora of signs opposing the rezoning of a portion of the project.
While opponents of the rezoning admit they can’t stop construction of 523 homes at the site, they hope to halt an additional plan for multiple-unit housing and a small commercial development.
Last August, the Oakland Township Board approved rezoning about 37 acres for construction of townhouses and a 1.95-acre commercial strip to service residents of Harvest Corners.
Because much of the 708-acre site that surrounds Clarkston, Stoney Creek and Lake George roads is already zoned for single-family residential, area residents had limited options in challenging the developer, Moceri Company of Auburn Hills.
However, area resident Bill Fox, a spokesperson for Oakland Citizens for Responsible Growth, says the township’s decision to grant rezoning for multiple units and commercial space was irresponsible and oblivious to the concerns expressed by the vast majority of residents who live in the area.
The group cited quality of life issues, along with concerns about the large scale of the project, the added strain on local services and roads, and non-conformity with the township’s master plan.
In response, the OCRG petitioned and collected hundreds of signatures from residents opposed to the multiple units and commercial aspect of the project, thus forcing a Feb. 27 election that could overturn the board’s decision to rezone the approximate 40 acres.
‘We know we can’t stop the development,? says Fox. ‘He’s (Moceri) entitled to build on the single-family residential. But we object to the way he’s doing it.?
Alleging that township officials failed to represent the hundreds of concerned residents who flooded recent meetings to challenge the rezoning, Fox says there was little option but to call for the referendum vote.
‘Right now, what we want is to overturn the zoning,? says Fox. ‘If they want to build on this property, they have to comply with the township’s master plan.
‘They’re trying to circumvent the citizens.?