Canton’s first gated community moves one step closer to approval
A rendering of the Springs of Willow Creek clubhouse.
A 280-unit, 40-acre gated townhome rental complex planned for the east side of Lotz Road, just south of Ford Road, fell just short of earning an approval recommendation from the Canton Township Planning Commission Monday night.
But a green light for the project appears to be imminent.
Planning commissioners tabled Continental Properties Company, Inc.’s proposal for a final planned development district (PDD) until its Feb. 26 meeting, asking representative Jordan Teichen for visuals that illustrate the commissioners’ request for tweaks to the plan that was presented Monday.
If commissioners vote to recommend approval of the PDD on Feb. 26, the proposal could be presented to the Board of Trustees for final approval as early as March 12.
Ambitious ground-breaking plans
Teichen said Continental would like to break ground on the project by August.
The development is set to be built in one phase on property (just south of Home Depot) that is now covered by wetlands and trees.
If ultimately approved, the development would be Canton’s first residential gated community.
The entire development will be surrounded by four-foot-high fencing — ornamental quality along the 800-foot stretch that runs parallel to Lotz Road and on the eastern edge that borders Westland neighborhoods.
The southern- and northern-most borders of the development will be closed in by black vinyl-coated chain-link fencing.
A few tweaks
Among the tweaks the commissioners requested — and Teichen agreed to provide — were the addition of brick piers every 40 feet along Lotz Road to help break up the monotony of 800 feet of ornamental fencing.
Commissioners were also not thrilled with the color scheme of the townhomes — various shades of brown — something Teichen promised to address by providing brighter options at the Feb. 26 meeting.
Emphasizing his firm’s urgency to enter the engineering phase of the project, Teichen asked the commission for an approval with conditions. However, the commission insisted on seeing visuals of the requested tweaks.
Teichen said the development is designed for young professionals between the ages of 24 and 34 years old.
Springs at Willow Creek will consist of 14 two-story townhome buildings (20 units each), a one-story clubhouse with a pool; six detached garage buildings, a mail building, maintenance building, two pet parks and a playground.
Overall, the commissioners voiced their affirmation for the development’s potential.
Reasonable price point
Each unit will include a dedicated entrance from the exterior.
The monthly rent will range from $1,393 to $2,461, depending on the square footage and layout of the unit. Sizes of the units range from 662 square feet to 1,384 square feet. The price point falls in line with comparable multi-family residential properties in Canton, according to data Teichen presented.
The development will include just one public entrance/exit point — a gated point on the north end of the property. An entry/exit point for emergency vehicles, which will also be gated, will be placed on the south end of the property.
Guests will be required to contact residents they are visiting before they will be allowed in the front gate.
Third time a charm?
Two previous attempts at developing the property came up short, although no clear reasons for the failings were revealed.
When asked if he has any doubts Continental Properties Company, Inc. would not be able to follow through on the project, Teichen asserted the firm is 100% determined to make it happen.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
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