04/01/2006

Rezoning request raises worries in Empire

It could open door for high-density development

bY Christine Finger

cfinger@record-eagle.com

Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Julie Hay of the Michigan Land Use Institute and Empire residents Jay Johnson and Bill Casler look over a map that shows proposed zoning changes a developer has requested in Empire Township.

EMPIRE — Residents in Empire Township are worried that a potential rezoning of 338 acres would open the door for a high-density development in their backyard.

Joseph Moch, a Grand Rapids-based developer, requested the township rezone land that lies inside the township near the northeast edge of the village of Empire. Moch wants a change from agricultural residential, which requires a minimum lot size of 2 acres, to a residential district that calls for at least 15,000 square feet per lot.

The rezoning would increase the maximum possible number of residential units from 170 to 980.

The township planning and zoning board will hold a public hearing on the request at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Empire United Methodist Church.

Smart Choices at Empire, a citizens group focused on land use issues, sponsored a meeting Friday to inform residents about the potential rezoning and hear concerns about the development's implications for the township and surrounding communities.

Julie Hay, Leelanau County policy specialist with the Michigan Land Use Institute, led the meeting she said was sparked by citizen questions.

"There's a lot of people that have a lot of concerns," she said.

The developer's application states the proposed development could include up to 537 residential units, including a mixture of housing types like single family and townhouses, and feature amenities including pedestrian and horse trails, an equestrian facility, clubhouse and recreational areas.

Hay said the rezoning would open the door for any developer to put a high-density project on the property, which some residents worry would not fit the township master plan's vision.

Empire Township zoning administrator Toni Perfect said the site, known as Leelanau Orchards, previously was approved for a planned unit development of about 155 homes proposed by the current owner. Moch has not yet submitted a formal site plan, a move that would trigger a separate review process and additional public hearings.

Richard Figura, chairman of the township's planning and zoning board, said the township is in the process of amending its zoning ordinance to reflect the goals of the updated master plan.

Moch could not be reached for comment. The developer's application is available for public review at the Glen Lake Community Library in Empire.