VBT board considers amended agreement for Cobblestone

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
At its work study session on July 1 the Van Buren Township Board of Trustees discussed proposed changes to its agreement with Cobblestone Ridge concerning repair, security, and maintenance.
But, Planning and Economic Development Director Arthur Mullen said the board sent the agreement back for more changes before it is considered for adoption.
Cobblestone Ridge condominium development, at West Huron River Drive at Hoeft Road, began in 2005. By 2009 progress on the development had halted.
Residents in the development complained to the township about uncompleted building sites with open basements filled with water and the Board of Construction Appeals met and issued a list of things that needed to be done. Some things were done.
The Board of Construction Appeals met several times on this issue and then turned the situation over to township officials.
In February 2011, the lender issued a new deed to Sheldon Acquisitions, the successor developer.
In August 2011, the developer entered into an agreement with the township to pay its back taxes, water department charges, repair some site issues at the subdivision, and complete properties that were in various states of construction.
Mullen said significant progress has been made at the development over the last 20 months. Since February the developer has negotiated with township officials on the terms of the proposed amendment.
Mullen was requesting board authorization to amend the 2011 Agreement between the township and Seldon Acquisitions for Repair, Security, and Maintenance of Cobblestone Ridge.
Changes included adding more roadway to receive new wearing course and addressing the remaining condo basements. A letter from township attorney Patrick McCauley and the original agreement were presented to the board. McCauley also was scheduled to be present at the July 1 work/study.
The proposed changes were first discussed at a June 3 workshop. At that meeting, board members didn’t like some of the wording in the agreement so there was to be more discussions with the township attorney before it was to be brought back to the board.
This was a PRD (Planned Residential Development) agreement, where VBT approved provisions to allow smaller lots and more density. Mullen advised the board that two other uncompleted PRDs, Country Walk and Victoria Park, also will be coming in for conversations.
At the July 1 workshop, the board also received documents from Treasurer Sharry Budd reporting on General Fund revenues and expenditures, the summary trial balance, and benefits costs for the 2013 budget amendments and 2014 budget proposals.
The regular meeting on July 2 was six minutes long with the main action being approval of the consent agenda without discussion.
In the consent agenda the board approved:
• Extension without penalty the collection of the 2013 Summer Property Taxes through Monday, Sept. 30;
• Approval of a resolution to readopt the Rules and Regulations of the South Huron Valley Utility authority, as amended; and
• The voucher list to pay the bills.