[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6302076,"mediaKeyId","2482636-4c9b2ef9127d7cd8ca95907e6e5d7de7","parentId",2482636,"title","Council accepts Historic District Commission annual report; commissioners highlight cemetery preservation and Spicer House work","audioSeconds",496,"startMs",1110000,"endMs",1606000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2482636-4c9b2ef9127d7cd8ca95907e6e5d7de7&start=1110&end=1606","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2482636-4c9b2ef9127d7cd8ca95907e6e5d7de7/thumbnail_1110000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6302076/Farmington-Hills-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Council-accepts-Historic-District-Commission-annual-report-commissioners-highlight-cemetery-preservation-and-Spicer-House-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302076-a013a6e900e988aea10b69b45b44587e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151396&Signature=lzY74MqlX2CjodZBjuh4W6nCV7oBLkqd3TKtw-JFIJZQmqPmscc0qGY1BSQrhzMK7vG0CJ4T1QGyxNALsKcHZgJGVwxcndRkHA~MVMxlXChLqJbu2tsMTLU8IIMsFwpA-CGYl~RM6OlJ~tXStd-Y8gMdNO7bsadVW-sx4Ypcb00XA~oSThoX-umYQ22SIgSTQgvUv1drbkR2Sufps-RwmU78ctyWkYCfXzlrflO8kH8KcUJT5585Y0MP5BaWQC12jzCnGCHHs-~WSBJlclIwDGxySUys9L2M643DpSu47p792I9lrbApNVvh44Ta9CQDaP04yJxIkaXfU~qAYuA5Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Farmington Hills, Michigan","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","At the March 3 meeting Farmington Hills City Council voted to accept the Historic District Commission (HDC) 2024 annual report after a brief presentation by the commission’s recording secretary.

Alec Thompson, recording secretary for the HDC, presented highlights including work on the Spicer House roof and gutters, ongoing cemetery preservation at West and East cemeteries (volunteer work and a digitization effort involving Schoolcraft College), follow-up from the 2022 reconnaissance survey, and ongoing review of Certificate of Appropriateness requests for historic properties. Thompson also noted continuing coordination on the Sarah Fisher site and plans for educational outreach and programming in 2025.

Council accepted the report by motion and roll-call vote following a brief discussion. Council liaison comments thanked volunteers (including Boy Scout Troop 179) and Schoolcraft College students for record digitization work, and Mayor and councilors noted the commission’s outreach and preservation achievements.

Why it matters: The HDC’s work affects preservation of locally significant properties and cemeteries, informs certificate of appropriateness decisions, and guides how redevelopment projects with historic resources (like Sarah Fisher) are managed.

Details: The presentation described 2024 actions including roof preservation at the Spicer House (replacement of deteriorated cedar shake with a like-appearance synthetic that reduces maintenance), partial roof work on the Clarenceville Blacksmith House, shutter and window restorations at several properties, and extensive volunteer-led cemetery cleaning and stone resetting. The HDC also reported plans for volunteer outreach and workshops in 2025.

Quote: “There’ll be continued work to be done there,” Alec Thompson said of the Spicer House roof work, noting the change to a longer-lasting material to preserve the structure. Council liaison Nall thanked the commission and volunteers for their work, particularly on the Sarah Fisher property and cemetery efforts.

Vote: Council moved to accept the HDC 2024 annual report and the motion carried by roll-call vote without recorded opposition.

Ending: The council accepted the report and directed that it be placed on the consent agenda for formal acceptance; staff will continue to coordinate HDC priorities with city departments and volunteer groups.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting: March 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council accepted the Historic District Commission’s 2024 annual report, noting cemetery preservation projects, work on the Spicer House roof and outreach plans for 2025, and authorized acceptance by motion and roll call vote.","taxTitle","Farmington Hills City, Oakland County, Michigan","taxId",4571,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6302081,"Council approves amendment for Sarah Fisher (Villas at Pebble Creek) PUD with single-entry and preserved chapel",516,10376000,10892000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2482636-4c9b2ef9127d7cd8ca95907e6e5d7de7&start=10376&end=10892","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2482636-4c9b2ef9127d7cd8ca95907e6e5d7de7/thumbnail_10376000.jpg","/articles/6302081/Farmington-Hills-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Council-approves-amendment-for-Sarah-Fisher-Villas-at-Pebble-Creek-PUD-with-single-entry-and-preserved-chapel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302081-fcb43ec2847239517eb1b2dbcf93c8ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151396&Signature=UgzjOGxWxtZnKVk1NFRrFhb-E~as7-E1tZDgBZQjLwREm-W3iHs3RjZxPN9GSrBk3nZO5~Up6N8JBsVhGUuEktU1DejXAVq9yehjycOQAL9s9g54rt8vtzXao4GfUkUFGoOLDcp7KRM2U1Dx37DNBHc22tzazHwQu8LMI4ALQij2b5nIfSqi3Wt2QFTtDHBSum9-D~eNFnQ4kIixCQJn2yeRmxVU4dvpm0SOAaFcaUyqXb96~dmxZcdBtK05spQfE2PVhFdnq3zhM~K9Q4Kvk1yKlLZXhFde9z3eGaM3L6qKBvUGNouQ2A1ihGGpNd2bhHVbvLeE0ZxLIJay~yXCSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Farmington Hills City Council approved an amendment to Planned Unit Development (PUD) 02/2021 on March 3, allowing the Villas at Pebble Creek (Sarah Fisher) revised site plan to proceed with a single boulevard access from Inkster Road and a gated emergency entry at 12 Mile Road.

The applicant, Robertson Homes, presented the change as the primary difference from a prior submission: a previously proposed northern driveway was removed and the space converted to open/landscaped area. Robertson’s representative, Tim Loughran, said the design detail will be finalized during engineering and that the revised traffic study and staff meetings supported the narrower access plan.

The council also noted the developer’s commitment to preserve the historic chapel on the Sarah Fisher property and to include it as an amenity for project residents; Robertson said the developer will retain the building’s features, provide interior community space sized for the project, and add related interpretive signage.

The motion to approve the amendment was made and seconded; the vote carried by voice without recorded opposition.

Why it matters: The Sarah Fisher site has been a long‑running planning topic in Farmington Hills. Preserving the chapel and narrowing vehicular access respond to neighborhood input while permitting redevelopment of a formerly underused property to move into engineering and permitting.

Details: The approved revision replaces a second vehicular access with landscaped open space, preserves the existing chapel for resident programming and gatherings, and retains a gated emergency connection at 12 Mile Road. The developer indicated details for pocket parks, landscaping and a site-specific traffic plan will be worked out during final engineering.

Quote: “Our thought on that was just to create some plantings,” Tim Loughran, Robertson Homes, said of the removed northern driveway. “We certainly would work through that in our final engineering.”

Vote: The council approved the PUD amendment (site plan 59.5/2022) for the Villas at Pebble Creek (Sarah Fisher) by unanimous voice vote at the March 3 meeting.

Ending: Staff will complete standard PUD agreement language and engineering review; the developer will return with final engineering plans and any required permitting documents.","Council approved an amendment to the Villas at Pebble Creek PUD (Sarah Fisher site) that narrows vehicle access to a single boulevard entrance, preserves the existing chapel as a community amenity, and advances the project to site-plan engineering.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6302085,"Council delays decision on 13 Mile Mulberry Park/Tabernacle PUD after residents and staff raise traffic, density and tree-loss concerns",8506,2385000,10891000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2482636-4c9b2ef9127d7cd8ca95907e6e5d7de7&start=2385&end=10891","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2482636-4c9b2ef9127d7cd8ca95907e6e5d7de7/thumbnail_2385000.jpg","/articles/6302085/Farmington-Hills-City/Oakland-County/Michigan/Council-delays-decision-on-13-Mile-Mulberry-ParkTabernacle-PUD-after-residents-and-staff-raise-traffic-density-and-tree-loss-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302085-de58128af32a6b681010f140f880030e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151396&Signature=J60emGPJdHMgit5~kjAIVbpKBy9AnO0CKos01E4nxclqxNVaLzWCXg-uLnwQzsZ7LyIA-I-Gxw0YAITfpih8Sn6yIPYgELhyL0ynyojVXVKcGzKYN85jpe3goiwEO0r9UVFnEcEun5ORxsH72N4HPIiXiZ8A3y~9qaZ13N3yK0sTOkCO28vj5AJy1SKU3UHGgRn6aWLhZkibZmMFD5JxDN7dvg8smNENvXX8GIJrtvy3~S9NxcgBKx2CQprjCqJA74TlEBBF2bqc-dZAR6cu1i-i97~koGSPfdo4TEzgTl7t9glQ2bPplrrxAAEOISK1FJcjo5SlhZ4HKg5X8TQGlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council on March 3 continued the public hearing and voted 6–1 to postpone action on Planned Unit Development (PUD) 02/2024 — the Mulberry Park and Tabernacle multifamily proposal on 13 Mile Road — after weeks of revisions from the developer and lengthy public comment from nearby residents.

The applicant, Schaeffer Development, presented a revised plan that reduced the total units from 76 to 69 and reconfigured the site to move stormwater to a single eastern basin, increase the rear setbacks facing Holly Hill Farms, add sidewalks and two small park spaces, and provide a proposed frontage area for public art. The developer also proposed a direct connection into the Baptist Manor campus and removal of several blighted structures on the property.

The proposal drew sustained opposition from residents of Westgate and Holly Hill Farms who said the plan remains too dense, will worsen traffic on 13 Mile and increase noise and privacy impacts despite the setbacks. Several speakers urged the council to require a lower unit count and more single-story units along the southern property line. Council members and staff said the city’s review of a developer-submitted traffic study raised technical questions and arrived too late to give councilors sufficient time for full evaluation, prompting the motion to continue the hearing to May 12, 2025.

Why it matters: The 13 Mile corridor parcel has been the subject of earlier proposals and community concern for years; it is adjacent to long-established single-family neighborhoods. The PUD would change how the site is developed and add a mix of for-sale townhomes and 55+ ranch-style rental units that the developer says will provide “missing middle” and attainable housing in Farmington Hills.

What the developer changed: Aaron Schaffer, with Schaeffer Development, told the council the revised plan removed one building, reduced the unit count to 69, increased rear setbacks (to about 83–85 feet in places), consolidated stormwater into an eastern pond, and added sidewalks, two small amenity parks and a space intended for public art on the 13 Mile frontage. The plan also lowers the total room count used to calculate zoning density (from roughly 268 rooms in the prior submission to about 243), dropping units-per-acre from about 6.3 to about 5.5 in the applicant’s calculations.

Traffic and engineering review: The applicant submitted an updated traffic impact analysis; city engineering staff reviewed that report after it arrived late in the packet period and raised follow-up questions. The applicant’s traffic consultant used micro-simulation modeling and reported that the project would increase average delay for the Westgate southbound approach by roughly seven seconds per vehicle and would not materially increase queue lengths (modeled queuing remained about two vehicles, roughly 48–49 feet). City staff said they did not find a substantive engineering error in the modeling but flagged differences between the earlier and latest studies that required clarification. Councilors and multiple residents also raised concerns about the signal timing at the nearby Detroit Baptist Drive intersection (a roughly 110-second signal cycle noted in the presentation) and asked staff and the developer to explore deceleration/transition lane improvements on 13 Mile at the Westgate access.

Neighborhood concerns: More than a dozen residents spoke during the public hearing. Common themes included: the plan’s density relative to surrounding projects (several speakers contrasted this proposal to Cove Creek and other nearby developments), safety and queuing on 13 Mile, loss of mature trees and open space, construction impacts (mud and heavy equipment staging), and longstanding site blight including open structures and vehicles on the properties. One frequent comment: “density, density, density,” from Amy Broglen Petersen, who said revisions did not sufficiently address the original concerns.

Council reaction and next steps: Council members praised aspects of the revision — the additional setback, the connection into Baptist Manor and the addition of sidewalks and public-art space — but several members said the plan remains too dense for the site and that more work is needed on traffic mitigations and the southern building types (some councilors asked that single-story units be extended along the shared property line). After council discussion, a motion to postpone a final decision to the City Council meeting on May 12, 2025 carried 6–1. The postponement gives staff, the traffic engineers and the developer time to reconcile the outstanding traffic questions, consider additional buffering or one-story units along the southern edge, and return with updated materials.

Quotes:
“A lot of the comments that were made in January and February, we addressed in this revision,” Aaron Schaffer, Schaeffer Development, told council. “We reduced the unit count, increased setbacks, and consolidated the ponds. We want to create a place that fits into the neighborhood.”

“Density, density, density,” said Amy Broglen Petersen, a Holly Hill Farms resident, summarizing her view of the project’s core problem.

“I just don’t think this is the place for it,” Council Member Randy Bruce said during deliberations, noting long-standing single-family character and concerns about changing expectations for neighboring property owners.

Votes and action: Council voted 6–1 to postpone consideration of PUD 02/2024 (Mulberry Park and Tabernacle) to May 12, 2025. The council did not adopt the PUD or any conditions at the March 3 meeting.

What to watch for: The developer and city staff will return with refined traffic analysis and proposed off-site mitigation (including a possible deceleration taper), and council members indicated they want either lower density or more single-story units along the southern property line. The May 12 hearing will include staff memos responding to the traffic questions and any revised site or elevation plans.

Ending note: Residents and councilors emphasized preservation of mature trees and clear maintenance requirements for properties before final approval. The developer said blighted structures and debris would be removed as part of any approved redevelopment.","After hours of testimony and a late-arriving traffic analysis, Farmington Hills City Council voted 6–1 to postpone action on a proposed Planned Unit Development for land on 13 Mile Road, citing outstanding traffic questions, neighborhood opposition and concerns about density and tree loss.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council accepts Historic District Commission annual report; commissioners highlight cemetery preservation and Spicer House work

Council approves amendment for Sarah Fisher (Villas at Pebble Creek) PUD with single-entry and preserved chapel

Council delays decision on 13 Mile Mulberry Park/Tabernacle PUD after residents and staff raise traffic, density and tree-loss concerns