It will be one of the largest developments in county.

Work on one of the largest developments in county history is expected to begin this fall following approval from the Leelanau Township Planning Commission.

During a special meeting Monday night, the commission granted final approval for phase one of the Timber Shores planned unit development (PUD). A motion by Marlin Bussey that was supported by Denise Dunn approved the project’s plan based on a “finding of facts” document and 32 conditions.

The vote passed 6-0. Member Tom Nelson was absent.

NM Investment Company, based in Royal Oak, and its consultants presented a final project plan application to the planning commission in early August of the Timber Shores PUD. Phase One includes construction of the development’s infrastructure, including roads, utility easements for a central water and sewer system. The development’s sewer needs will be met with an on-site septic tank and lagoon system for the first part of the development. When sewer output reaches a level of 9,900 gallons per day, Timber Shores will switch to a more advanced sequencing batch reactor wastewater treatment system.

Phase One will also include the construction of all 12 waterfront condominium buildings, as well as cluster housing units and single family residence lots on both the east and west side of M-22. Fred Gordon, president of NM Investment Company, said the first phase will be built over five years and includes 241 residential units. If fully built, Timber Shores will have 492 residential units.

Gordon said Tuesday that work will begin this fall, and that wherever possible local contractors and construction companies will be hired.

“We have already hired Kal Excavating to do some of the ground work, as well as Molon Construction,” he said.

Gordon hopes to have infrastructure work started and, if possible, completed this fall. He said the goal is to get one of the six-unit waterfront condominium buildings and the beach clubhouse completed by spring. He said NM Investment is looking at different construction companies based in Traverse City to be the general contractor on the condominium building and clubhouse. “We haven’t made a final decision as yet, but the general contractor will be from Traverse City,” he said.

In addition to the condo building and clubhouse, Gordon said work will begin on some cluster housing and NM Investment will be selling single family residential lots on both sides of M-22.

The Timber Shores project encompasses 455-plus acres, including the old Timber Shores RV Park and Campground property.

At Monday’s meeting, some township residents said they are concerned about the developers fulfilling the promises they have made concerning this project.

Arnold Zeits said the township must keep a sharp eye on the project and developers. “I hope this growth everyone is talking about is not a cancerous growth like they have down at Suttons Bay,” he said, referring to the troubled BayView project. “The township needs to keep an eye on everything that happens at Timber Shores.”

Zeits said he was also concerned about impact on the surrounding property owners’ water wells.

Attorney Thomas Oehmke, who owns property just north of Timber Shores, is representing a group of adjacent property owners who have voiced concerns about the development. The planning commission addressed some of those concerns – including the removal of any reference to a marina for the development – early in the final project plan review process.

Oehmke said Tuesday that he and his clients are reviewing their options. They have seven days to appeal certain zoning decisions to the township Zoning Board of Appeals. He said they also have 30 days in which to file any issues with the overall PUD plan in 13th Circuit Court.

“Right now we are analyzing what the planning commission did and deciding whether it would be fruitful to move forward on any appeal,” he said.

Township Zoning Administrator Deborah Serwin said Monday NM Investment has to deposit a $192,500 performance guarantee bond with the township and an $80,000 performance bond with the county Soil Erosion and Control department before any work can begin at the site. The purpose of the bonds is to pay for any site restoration work on the property should funding for the development fall apart and NM Investments not be able to complete the work.

Planning Commission members said the development meets township Zoning Ordinance requirements. They were also impressed with the developer’s willingness to work with the township to amend its plans to meet township needs.

Bussey said the commission has worked hard on reviewing the project, and the entire process has been transparent with ample opportunity for public comment. “This development meets our zoning requirements. We are imposing 32 conditions of approval in this document and the development has been very willing to work with us,” he said.

Commission chair Ed Reinsch said he recognizes there are still concerns. “In my heart of hearts, I think this (project) will be nothing but good for this community,” he said.

Long-time Northport resident Ed Joppich said he supported the development as the meeting concluded. “We’ve been backsliding ever since Timber Shores closed down. We really need this, this project is really something.”

The Homestead resort, with 685 units, is the county’s largest development. A total of 529 units have been proposed for the BayView project in Suttons Bay, though only 54 have been built so far as part of phase one. Timber Shores would be the third largest development in the county at 492 units if it is fully built.