FeedsTownship gears up for millage campaign
Members of one Northville Township homeowner’s association let it be known last week that officials would face opposition in their upcoming millage request.
The Highland Lakes Condominium Association submitted a resolution in opposition to the millage at the last board of trustees meetings.
Citing concerns such as the purchase price, traffic and size of the proposed commercial development as well as an agreement that is more favorable to the developer than to residents, the resolution requested that township official renegotiate the purchase agreement and postpone the bond request.
There are about 2,200 voters in the Highland Lakes—a strong voting block—but Township Manager Chip Snider said he isn’t sure how indicative the resolution is of the overall feeling of residents there.
“What we don’t know is if this is the opinion of five people, 50 people or 500 people,” he said. “We don’t know if they knocked on doors and asked the residents or if this is their own statement.”
The township and Real Estate Interests, Inc (REIS) have a signed purchase agreement for the 414-acre former Northville Psychiatric Hospital property that is contingent on a successful millage request to fund the $23 million purchase. Township residents would pay one mill, which represents about $50-$100 annually. The township would own all but 68 acres of the land—that would be left for a commercial development on the corner of Haggerty and Seven Mile roads.
Township Supervisor Mark Abbo said he could have addressed the three main concerns of the association board—the value of the property, the size of the commercial component and the responsibility the township assumes for cleaning up the property—but the residents did not meet with township officials prior to preparing the resolution.
He said the purchase price was fair, since the land has been appraised for $30 million. The 68 acres of commercial development—which includes set backs and buffer zones—will mean a reduction in 50 percent of the proposed commercial space. He said the developer couldn’t go any lower.
“We need enough critical mass to make the Brownfield plan work—to fund the clean of the property,” said Abbo. “It ensures the clean-up of the property.”
He said it made sense for the township to assume the responsibility of cleaning up the land, too.
“I think that the township can do it more efficiently and effectively—and to our standards,” he said.
He said the township was working on a plan for the land, but that it would be preserved as parkland, with trails augmenting natural features.
“It would be a nature area that people would get to enjoy,” he said.
He said the plans would be discussed prior to the vote on the millage, as well.
“We’re going to share all the information we have to let the voters make an informed decision,” Abbo said.
The Highland Lakes Condominium Association is one of two homeowner’s associations to officially weigh in on the issue. The Maple Hills Association voted to support the bond issue this week.
