VBT discusses rezoning on Tyler Rd. with Schafer construction

At the Van Buren Township Planning Commission meeting on Aug. 27 there was a discussion over the proposed development of 44804 Tyler Rd.
Schafer Development of Farmington Hills was asking for a master plan amendment to split the current zoning to allow building of some rental housing.
Schafer presented a housing unit that was smaller and aimed at empty nesters and would be for rent. These units are not acceptable under the current zoning. The commissioners informed him that they were not interested in rental properties to be developed.
Schafer then floated a different design that is more like single family homes that would be sold, not rented. The commission was more interested in this style for planned residential development with the current zoning.
Schafer said he was going to revise his plans and bring them to the board at a later date.
In other business, the commission:
• Heard DTE present changes to the east side of their property at 8001 Haggerty Rd. A black ornamental fence running along the property will be erected. DTE will replace a portion of the six-foot chain link fence with an eight-foot chain link fence and add a new sliding gate on the north side of the property. The commission requested that a second sliding gate be erected after the first sliding gate to alleviate traffic congestion on Haggerty Road. The fire department requested a key switch for access should a fire break out. DTE agreed to the second gate and the key switch. The site plan was approved unanimously;
• Heard a request by North American Subaru, Inc. at 50255 Michigan Ave., to build a previously approved auxiliary storage building. The site plan was approved unanimously;
• Granted final site plan approval for the Sheetz project. The 6,139-square-foot building containing a gas station, convenience store, and restaurant is at the southwest corner of Ecorse and Haggerty roads. The west side of the property will be preserved for wildlife. The commission heard that the water pipe to the building needed to be changed from PVC to iron pipe as a precaution due to the miniscule contaminants found in the soil. The fire department wanted to make sure an E-stop button will be installed. An E-stop button stops the pumps should there be a fire.