Concerns about a proposed development in Suttons Bay Township were expressed this week at a public hearing.
Fruit farmers Mark and Karen Drake propose to develop, Cherry Beach Orchards, a 20-lot project near the intersection of Stony Point and Smith roads.
Scott Bohen and Steve Morgan represented the Drakes at Tuesday night’s public hearing, attended by more than 15 persons participating in person or via Zoom.
“There’s a lot of misinformation out there,” Bohen said.
The Drakes plan on continuing to farm on Stony Point and live in their current home on adjacent property, Bohen explained.
Development would take place in two phases over two years. Phase No. 1 would include seven new home sites, all with waterfront access. A “clubhouse” with private access is also planned with parking spaces for residents.
Phase No .2 would split the remaining sites for a total of 20.
Bohen explained that access to home sites would be off Smith Road and that they have been working with the Road Commission to reconfigure the intersection which some call “treacherous.”
Among those speaking from the audience Tuesday was former Planning Commission member Jean McClure.
“I have some concerns about design and line-of-sight issues,” she said.
McClure and others in the audience questioned the distance between homes in the site plan as well as placement of the entrance off Smith Road.
Mark Grover, who lives in Plano, Texas but owns 2 1/2 acres of property off Stony Point Road also spoke via Zoom.
“We had hoped to build a retirement home … to get out of the chaos (of Plano),” said Grover, who owns property nearby. “This (project) doesn’t maintain the character of the community.”
Township resident Kathy Kinkel encouraged planners to hold fast to site size requirements of two acres or less.
Dana Peterson also offered comment.
“We don’t want to look likedownstate,” she said.
Concerns about erosion on the site were raised and an environmental study was also requested.
In addition, questions were raised about whether the homes will be seasonal or Short-term rentals.
Zoning administrator Steve Patmore reported that he wasn’t aware of the road circulation discussion between the developer- staff and Road Commission.
“We want to hear something from the Road Commission about these plans,” he said.
No action was taken on the site plan which planners will deliberate at a future meeting.
No action was taken on a special land use permit for a proposed 25-unit personal storage building project in the township’s Waste Management Zoning District at 1800 S. Richter Road.
Tony Biddix is seeking a special land use permit to construct the facility.
