By Lisa Carolin
Following a public hearing, the Chelsea Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend to Chelsea City Council approval of major and minor amendments proposed for the Heritage Farms PUD Area Plan with contingencies.
One neighbor spoke during the public hearing saying that it feels like the original project has been changed and is going to be a denser development than he thought it was going to be. Another speaker at the hearing, who represented an owner of the property, said there are the same number of homes as planned in 2003 and that the plan better serves the housing market.
Several planning commission members expressed concern about the increased traffic that continues to be a challenge for the city.
Chelsea Community Development Director Adrianna Jordan reviewed the development including that it is a 6-phase, 231 site condo with 48 units proposed in Phase 1. The 231 lots average 7,200 square feet each, and they are located on an approximately 105-acre site along the north side of Dexter-Chelsea Road.
She also talked about some of the major changes to the PUD Area Plan including reducing lot widths from an average of 80 feet to 60 feet wide and increasing open space by 26 percent from 35.23 acres to 44.11 acres.
The current final site plan approval for Phase 1 plans is due to expire on July 19, 2023.
Also at the meeting, there were public hearings for three zoning text amendments, all of which the planning commission went on to recommend to city council: Zoning Text Amendment for Section 4.23 – Temporary Uses and Special Events; Zoning Text Amendment for Section 6.11 – Performance Standards; Zoning Text Amendment for Section 14.03 – Zoning Compliance Permit.
