The township has come up with an alternate plan to one proposed by a company that wants to rip up Faulkwood Shores Golf Course and build 1,000 condominiums on the property.
The plan would preserve the 177-acre golf course while adding 88 condominiums to the land on Hughes Road south of Golf Club Road.
Landtec Realty of Macomb County bought the golf course earlier this year and continues to operate it. But the company, citing competition from nearby courses, has complained it can't make money operating Faulkwood Shores as a golf course and in February requested that the township Planning Commission change the zoning classification to allow for construction of the condominiums.
After getting input at several public hearings, the planning commission recommended denial, and the township trustees complied, unanimously rejecting Landtec Realty's request at a June meeting.
The case now goes to the township Zoning Board of Appeals, which is scheduled to hear Landtec's appeal at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Three Fires Middle School, 2661 Nixon. Township officials plan to present their alternate proposal to Landtec at the meeting.
Tom Kalas, an attorney representing the development company, said the company will continue pursuing its original plan, even if it means taking the case to court.
Township officials believed that a denial of the company's appeal next month without the township offering an alternative would increase the likelihood that Landtec would sue, said Joe Galvin, an attorney representing the township.
"If we do that, there's going to be a lawsuit. It's as inevitable as the sun rising in the east the very next day," he said.
The alternative plan, even if rejected by the developer, would strengthen the township's case that it provided the developer with a "reasonable use" of the land under the current zoning should the matter wind up in court, Galvin said.
The 18-hole golf course, designed by Ralph Banfield in 1972, was once used as a qualifier for the Buick Open. Golfers and area residents say neglect has marred the course's former glory.
"The owner has done nothing to improve the playability of that golf course over the years," said resident Pete Black, who doesn't like any plan that puts condos on the property. "He's got three greens on that golf course that are like miniature golf now. And he's done nothing to correct that."
The township's plan was outlined at a recent meeting between trustees and the planning commission. The plan would preserve landscape buffers and as much of the site's natural features as possible, said Jeff Purdy, a community planning consultant who drafted the township's counterproposal.
"What we have done is tried to create a concept of how we thought this property should be developed based upon what we heard from the public ... as well as input from township officials," Purdy said.
The 88 condominiums would be clustered on about 12 acres on the east side of Hughes Road, where the golf course's driving range is located. The development would be served by municipal sewer and water.
Because of the reduced density and the required municipal services, the development would have less impact to the area's environment and traffic than the earlier proposal, officials said.
At the recent meeting, attended by about 100 residents, the proposal received mixed reviews.
"This proposal is by far more conceivable than the 1,000 units the developer proposed," said resident Fred Jones. "If we have to accept some kind of development, because they have the money and they have bought the place, then this is a great proposal. My vote is for it."
Others spoke less favorably.
"What you guys have been talking about is a good plan, but it should be Plan B. Because Plan A is, 'Let's keep the golf course as it is,' " said resident Steven Wildman. "No one has provided us with evidence why this property can't be profitable as a golf course. I really think the golf course should prove to us that they can't make money on the property as it is currently zoned before we consider Plan B."
What's next
* Genoa Township's Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to consider Landtec Realty's rezoning request at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Three Fires Middle School, 2661 Nixon Road.
* Landtec is seeking a zoning designation that would allow the company to turn its 177-acre Faulkwood Shores Golf Course into a subdivision of 1,000 condominium units.
Source: Detroit News