The final site plan for the development of the Northville Downs property was approved by a 7 to 1 vote of the members of the planning commission last week. The commissioners included some conditions on the approval issued to developer Hunter Pasteur.
Planning Commissioner Jeff Gaines cast the lone no vote on the plan.
Among the conditions was a requirement that any changes in the final Planned Urban Development (PUD) be approved by the Historic District Commission. The commission members also stipulated that documents verifying compliance with requirements before building permits are issued. The developer is also required to update architectural plans for different color roof shingles and different garage door styles in rowhouses and single-family attached buildings within the Historic District boundary, as represented to and approved by the Historic District Commission.
Details of 40 Electric Vehicle parking stations at the proposed apartment building and 10 stations at the condominium buildings must be included in the plans along with architectural construction documents for review against zoning ordinance requirements and other applicable codes. The city engineer will review the plans to ensure the development is compliant with Americans with Disabilities legislation.
Commissioners approved a slight reduction in some garage parking spaces, as requested by the developer.
The developer will be required to work with city officials to fund the construction of a temporary farmers market location and must defer evaluation of the gateway design to the city manager and lighting levels along interior residential streets must be evaluation by the Northville police chief. Utilities and stormwater management will be reviewed by both the DPW director and the city engineer.
“The Planning Commission, city planner and developer did a lot of hard work to get to this point,” said City Manager George Lahanas. “There was also tremendous input from the community and city task forces. Oversight and actions by city council, the Historic District Commission, the Downs Project Advisory Committee (DPAC), the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and city attorneys kept this project moving. It was a major effort that will yield positive results for the city in the future. This is the launching point for the next phase, which is construction.”
Planning Commission Chair Donna Tinberg told the developer, “Mr. Herkowitz and team - we thank you for your patience these last many years as we worked our way through our review of this legacy project, which is going to change the face of Northville. We wish you well in the next steps and look forward to seeing the project take form.”
