August 3, 2016 Northfield Township Planning Commission Biltmore Hearing

Biltmore's May, 2014 request for a Master Plan amendment was considered and discussed at this Public Hearing. Biltmore CEO David Stollman presented his case. The public presented their opinion. The Planning Consultant presented his report.

At approximately 8:42 pm, Commissioner Stanalajczo read the following resolution: As he read, Township Attorney Paul Burns watched closely.

"Whereas the Planning Commission of Northfield Township, a Michigan General Law Township, is a public body organized to provide essential government services, and whereas the Planning Commission is vested with the right, duty, and responsibility to initiate the process of creating a Master Plan and amendments thereto by the Michigan Planning Enabling Act, being MCL 125.3801, and whereas in May, 2014, Biltmore Land LLC applied to the Township for an amendment to the Northfield Master Plan Map, changing the future land use designation for nine parcels from Ag (AG) to MDR, Medium Density Residential, and whereas the Northfield Township Engineer prepared a letter regarding the impact of the proposed amendment on the Township's ability to provide sanitary sewer service, dated June 3, 2016, which the Planning Commission finds is correct and accurate and incorporates by this reference, and, whereas the Northfield Township Planner prepared a report analyzing the impacts of the proposed amendment on the Township, dated June 3rd, 2016, which the Planning Commission finds correct and accurate and incorporates by this reference, and whereas the Northfield Township Planning Commission has therefor determined that the amendment requested by the applicant does not best serve the health, safety, and general welfare of the Township, now therefor the Planning Commission of Northfield Township does hereby resolve that the applicant's request for an amendment of the Northfield Township Master Plan map is hereby denied for the reasons set forth above."

Discussion followed. At approximately 8:56 pm, all seven Commissioners voted in favor of the resolution. Biltmore's request had been denied. PC Chairperson Ken Dignan asked that Mr. Stollman consider developing inside the Whitmore Lake School District.

At Final Call to the Public, Joanne Marttila Pierson suggested that the Planning Commission owed Mr. Stollman an apology for making him wait so long for an answer.