Spring Break
Housing proposal withdrawn
Joe Lanane
Issue date: 9/6/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
In anti-climactic fashion, Macomb Mayor Mick Wisslead announced at Tuesday night's City Council meeting that developers of a potential student housing subdivision have withdrawn a proposal to rezone property on South Ward Street.
As a result, no vote took place on the item and the council moved to dismiss the motion. Aldermen did, however, state their feelings on the two-month ordeal that has made plenty of noise in the Macomb community during that time.
"We really need to move more quickly on our Comprehensive Plan," said Fourth Ward Alderman John Maguire, referring to the city's intentions to have a detailed description of where Macomb intends on standing in future development endeavors.
Maguire also urged residents to the east of Ward Street that are currently under an R-2 and R-3 zoning classification to consider rezoning as an R-1 property to prevent similar controversies in the future. Fifth Ward Alderman Tim Lobdell, who had publicly stated his intentions to vote down the proposed rezoning, said the burden must also lie on the council in order to ensure stability in residential neighborhoods in Macomb.
"Besides residents needing to decide what kind of neighborhood they want to live in, it's also important for the council to ensure a Comprehensive Plan is set" in place for future rezoning controversies that may potentially sweep other local neighborhoods, Lobdell argued.
Wisslead said he agreed that taking a firmer look at how Macomb will address similar matters should go a long way in simplifying this process for future developers.
"Hopefully with our Comprehensive Plan we will get to address some of our concerns," he said.
Developer Art McManus was unavailable for comment at time of publication.
As a result, no vote took place on the item and the council moved to dismiss the motion. Aldermen did, however, state their feelings on the two-month ordeal that has made plenty of noise in the Macomb community during that time.
"We really need to move more quickly on our Comprehensive Plan," said Fourth Ward Alderman John Maguire, referring to the city's intentions to have a detailed description of where Macomb intends on standing in future development endeavors.
Maguire also urged residents to the east of Ward Street that are currently under an R-2 and R-3 zoning classification to consider rezoning as an R-1 property to prevent similar controversies in the future. Fifth Ward Alderman Tim Lobdell, who had publicly stated his intentions to vote down the proposed rezoning, said the burden must also lie on the council in order to ensure stability in residential neighborhoods in Macomb.
"Besides residents needing to decide what kind of neighborhood they want to live in, it's also important for the council to ensure a Comprehensive Plan is set" in place for future rezoning controversies that may potentially sweep other local neighborhoods, Lobdell argued.
Wisslead said he agreed that taking a firmer look at how Macomb will address similar matters should go a long way in simplifying this process for future developers.
"Hopefully with our Comprehensive Plan we will get to address some of our concerns," he said.
Developer Art McManus was unavailable for comment at time of publication.
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