Brandon Twp.- Truck traffic and environmental impact are just two reasons the township planning commission temporarily turned back a Detroit-area development company’s plan to excavate a township parcel.
The Silverman Development Group is considering removal of about 177,000 yards of material from 25 acres north of Solley’s Appliance & Fireplace Center south of Seymour Lake Road. A completion date of about 30 days was suggested and an estimated 4,250 gravel trucks, each containing about 40 yards of aggregate, would exit the property onto M-15 during the duration of the project.
Township planning officials voted 5-1 at a special meeting on Aug. 16 to send the plans back to Silverman, emphasizing, ‘this project shall have a significant impact in a number of areas.?
The property to be developed borders the backyards of several residents along Hadley and Oakhill roads. In addition, the parcel exits to M-15 within about 50 feet of a 20-acre nature sanctuary, with a conservation easement owned by the Michigan Nature Association, which purchased the rights to the land in 1994. A conservation easement (or conservation restriction) is a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values.
Steve Robinson, a Silverman representative, attended the meeting and said they are working on traffic issues with the Michigan Department of Transportation and will determine the best plan. In addition, Silverman will extend the 30-day plan to excavate the property.
‘The proposal from Silverman was more intense than we figured,? said Tim Palulian, township building official. ‘It’s an extreme operation’it’s that kind of development for this property. Due to the condition of the property, the excavation has to be done’to flatten out the landscape.?
Once the material is removed, reclamation is required, say township officials, and although no site plan was provided, permits for a sanitary sewer treatment facility have already been approved by the Department of Environmental Quality. An approximate location of the facility has been outlined in the southeast section of the property.
‘They never produced a site plan,? said Ron Lapp, township supervisor. ‘Why are they moving so much dirt? Are they trying to skirt our mining ordinances? I think our residents deserve to know. We need to access the best use of property in the township. We’re not opposed to development, but we want a plan.?
About 550 feet of the Silverman parcel boarders Jim and Nancy Campbell property near Oak Hill and Hadley roads. Rolling gravel mounds and a partially wooded landscape are in view from the Campbell’s yard as the northern property line abuts the Silverman excavation area.
‘Silverman has been a great neighbor, before they purchased the property motorcycles and recreational vehicles were everywhere,? said Jim Campbell, who purchased his six acres in 1993. ‘Today it’s quiet.?
‘There’s no need to rebalance the property unless there’s a site plan. Other than just to strip the soil away, there’s no need. The property will be a motorcycle magnate and end up a dust bowl.?
Fred Dye, a trustee with the Michigan Nature Association attended the Aug. 16 meeting and is concerned about the runoff created by the possible excavation.
‘Removing that much dirt from the property may cause either flooding or even drying up on the easement,? said Dye. ‘But we’re not sure of the impact on the preserve so we’re recommending an environmental study should be done before the excavation.?
Dye said the nature preserve includes about an 1/8 mile of boardwalks through wetlands and other environmentally fragile plant areas. Included in the preserve is the Wahoo plant or burning bush a variety of special concern to the Department of Natural Resources, says Dye. A total of 117 species including 102 native plants exist in the area.
Bingam Farm based Silverman Companies and its real estate organizations, develop master-planned communities, multi-family apartments and retail shopping centers throughout the Midwest. Last year Silverman developed Long Lake Village west of M-15 near Seymour Lake Road which will include 93 single-family homes on 67 acres. Centex Homes in Southfield will build the homes.
No date for second planning commission regarding the property has been set.