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.
- Watch individual Agenda items with the 8-3-2016 Northfield Township Planning Commission meeting LiveAgenda
- Watch the August 3, 2016 Northfield Township Planning Commission public hearing for Biltmore on YouTube (2 hrs 25 minutes)
- Watch Northfield Township Manager Howard Fink's spin on his role in the chain of events that led us here (13 minutes 28 seconds)
- Watch the reading of the resolution and the Planning Commission vote (3 minutes 22 seconds)
Meeting Documents and video
- 9-03, 2014 Ann Arbor Township Supervisor Mike Moran's presentation to the Northfield Township Planning Commission. This is in response to the Biltmore Master Plan Amendment request InVideo (33 minutes)
- 5-30-2014 Biltmore Request to Northfield Township Planning Commission
- 10-23-2015 Northfield Township Planning Commission letter to Biltmore CEO David Stollman
- 6-03-2016 McKenna Associates Planner Review of Biltmore LLC Request for Northfield Township Master Plan Amendment
- 6-03-2016 TetraTech Review of Biltmore Rezoning Impact On Northfield Township Sewer System
- 7-26-2016 Ann Arbor Township Review of Biltmore LLC Request for Northfield Township Master Plan Amendment
- 8-03-2016 Northfield Township Planning Commission Notice of Public Hearing
- 8-03, 2016 Northfield Township Planning Commission meeting Agenda
- 8-03, 2016 Northfield Township Planning Commission meeting Packet