If Larry Shew's building plans along Milford Road are approved,
the Highland Station area will take its first big step toward
realizing the township's Main Street master plan.
Highland Township Planning Commission board members will vote on
Shew's proposal to develop three lots north of Livingston Road along
Milford Road during their 7:30 p.m. meeting tonight.
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Shew presented his proposal
to the Highland Downtown Development Authority on March 1 and to the
planning commission for suggestions on Feb. 16.
Jill Bahm, director of the Highland Downtown Development
Authority, said that DDA board members are enthusiastic about Shew's
proposed project.
"I think that the project is getting people really excited,
because they're starting to see all their hard work over the last
few years come to fruition," Bahm said. "So they're very excited,
very supportive, and they believe that this is just the first step.
They're really looking forward to the future for Highland."
Highland was named a Main Street Oakland County community in
September 2005. In its program application, the DDA drew up a
township master plan designating Highland Station as an area in need
of revitalization and controlled growth.
Highland Planning and Development Director Elizabeth Corwin said
that Shew has spent a lot of time discussing the project with the
planning commissioners.
"I think he has a pretty good sense of what they're trying to
achieve," Corwin said.
If the planning commission approves the project, Shew may proceed
without bringing it before the board of trustees. However, the
commission will delegate final approval to its engineering
consultants and planning staff, who will oversee the project as it
undergoes more detailed planning.
Corwin said that if Shew has to change something the township
considers "significant" during the design details, the proposal will
return to the planning commission.
Bahm and Corwin both said that if this first major project is
approved, current property owners will have more confidence
investing in their downtown-area buildings and grounds.
"They've been kind of stuck in a holding pattern for years,"
Corwin said of the property owners. "We've put all the tools in
place, and very few of them have taken advantage of it. They're all
waiting to see what's going to happen."
Shew's March 1 presentation to the DDA included plans for
landscaping and incorporated plenty of window space for the retail
stores, a suggestion made by the DDA at his last presentation.
Bahm said that the project ties in well with the DDA's Main
Street master plan.
"I think this gives a real credibility to the program and to the
efforts of everyone over the last few years, that things really will
start happening here," she said.
For more information or to comment on the project plans, Highland
residents may attend the Planning Commission meeting tonight in the
township conference hall at 205 N. John Street.
Alyson Iott is a reporter for the Milford Times. She can be
reached at (248) 685-1507, ext. 21, or by e-mail at aiott@gannett.com.
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