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September 13, 2004Development draws mixed reactionsTraffic expected to be major concernByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Two incoming Elmwood Township trustees may end up being neighbors with the largest commercial development in the township and largest water park in the state. Wilderness Development Inc. proposed a 661-unit resort with two 80,000-square-foot indoor water parks, plus two outdoor water parks on 230 acres off M-72 between Carter and Angus roads. In comparison, the Great Wolf Lodge in Garfield Township has 281 rooms and a 38,000-square-foot indoor water park. "I think it's going to generate a tremendous amount of excitement," township supervisor Noel Flohe said. The tenor of the excitement remains to be seen. Paul Walter, one of four candidates for four trustee positions on the township board, lives just north of the main property. The home of Jeff Howell, another August primary winner and unopposed candidate on the November ballot, borders the property to the east. Howell, a member of Elmwood Citizens for Sensible Growth, is taking a wait-and-see approach. "It's a large piece of property, so why wouldn't it be a large development," he said. Walter has seen enough. "I'm quite disappointed," Walter said. "It's another attempt by the township board to develop that land at whatever it takes, whatever it costs." Walter said most of the township's infrastructure, from fire department to roads, cannot handle such a big development. Walter, Howell and their neighbors have seen several large-scale project proposals come and go for the site. "This is about the fourth one who wants to buy the property and it always falls through," neighbor Bonnie Gharajanloo said. She expected traffic to be the neighbors' top concern. "Traffic from the west is coming down a hill. If there was an accident and it involved all three lanes, it would be a train wreck," Howell said. "But those (traffic) issues are not unsolvable." Howell said he's confident Dr. John G. Milliken, who has controlling interest in the property, is committed to a well-designed project. Milliken said he won't be involved in the development but he also won't sell unless the project is an asset to the community. He's visited Wilderness Development's operations in Wisconsin Dells and was impressed. The principals, Tom Lucke and Pete Helland Jr., are cousins and owners of the Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort in Wisconsin Dells, which contains more than 300,000 square feet of water parks. Their family goes back three generations in the tourism industry. Helland said company officials are aware of the history of controversy over township developments but believe the project complies with existing resort/commercial zoning for the property. Township planner Bill Swanson agreed, for now, but said a final application has not been submitted or reviewed. Despite its size, just a few close neighbors will be able to see the facility. It will sit in a small valley shaped like an irregular bowl. Helland said timing of the project depends on how long it takes to gain township approval. Then, the development will be phased in, starting with hotel condominium guest units, one indoor and one outdoor water park, a nine hole/ par-3 golf course and tubing run. Many amenities will be available to the general public, though the water parks would be so on a limited basis. Helland estimated the development will create 200 full-time and hundreds of part-time jobs. Flohe said sewer infrastructure is in place to handle such a development and the township would benefit from $2 million to $3 million in hook-up fees that help cover future sewer improvements. The developers could either build their own water system or partner with a municipal system, he said. Conceptual plans will be presented to the township planning commission at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the township hall. A final application has not been completed, Swanson said.
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