Canton OKs preliminary condominium development plan

Julie Brown
Staff Writer

     A plan for 222 detached condominiums received preliminary site-plan approval from members of the Canton Township Board of Trustees last week over protests from residents of the first-phase of the project.
Township Supervisor Pat Williams noted that the final plans for the Grandview-South Planned Development District have not yet been completed.
     “This is not it. This is a preliminary plan, not final. There's more coming, we haven't seen it yet,” said Williams at the Sept. 24 board of trustees meeting.

     A number of residents spoke of their concerns about the development during the meeting and Joe Skore, a representative from Pulte Homes, attempted to address their concerns and those of the members of the board.
Residents accused Pulte of breaking promises and failing to provide traffic access to protect the quiet atmosphere of the neighborhood.
     “It's low maintenance, or no maintenance,” Skore said, describing the development as geared toward empty nesters. He and board members discussed traffic calming measures as well as ways to route construction traffic to control the traffic flow and disruption which residents described as “a thoroughfare.”
The project is planned for the north side of Mott Road between Denton and Barr roads.
Trustee John Anthony suggested the developer consider an entrance off Barr Road and Skore agreed that change could be considered by the developer.
     “Canton is a bedroom community, guys. We all leave in the morning,” Williams said. He noted that there are light traffic volumes midday in the township.
Canton Trustee Anne Marie Graham Hudak, the liaison to the planning commission, said an extensive traffic study was done on Grandview-South.
     Skore said the map shown at the Sept. 24 board meeting was old, and his company had made revisions based on approval from members of the Canton Planning Commission.
Resident Sandra Miller, who lives on Bingham Road, said traffic calming is a major concern.
     “It doesn't negate the fact that those will be raceways,” she said.
Other residents noted their concerns about emergency vehicle access due to heavy traffic.
Canton Clerk Michael Siegrist cast the lone dissenting vote on the preliminary site plan approved by a 6-1 vote.
Canton board members also heard that evening from resident Sanaa Ali, a student at Washtenaw International High School in Ypsilanti. She's concerned about the intersection of Saltz, Denton and Ridge roads, where she makes a left turn in heavy traffic mornings on her way to school.
     Canton trustees were aware of the intersection, where budget issues and priorities had precluded a roundabout. Public Safety Director Joshua Meier said he would be following up with the Special Enforcement Unit, having noted not much can be done with signage.
     “I don't think it's acceptable the way it is. It's stressful,” Ali said.
“There is a solution. It boils down to money and it boils down to priorities,” Williams said.
     Canton officials continue work with Wayne County leadership on roads and road safety, with Trustee Steven Sneideman agreeing with Ali on the intersection being difficult to navigate.