Planning commission backs Independent Living Alliance site plan for Cherry Hill Road

The Canton Township Planning Commission recommended approval of the site plan for the Independent Living Alliance campus at 51333 Cherry Hill Road, a proposed intentional residential community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities that includes 24‑hour staffing and on‑site amenities.

Patrick (staff member) told the commission the project is a planned development district matter and was previously recommended by the planning commission during the PDD review; the board of trustees approved the PDD on May 14, 2024. “The plan development district for this project was approved on 05/14/2024 by the board of trustees and was previously recommended for approval by the planning commission at its meeting on 04/01/2024,” Patrick said.

Staff described the proposed site as approximately 4.25 acres on the south side of Cherry Hill Road near the western township boundary. The applicant proposes a single building containing units described on the record as 40 units comprised of 31 one‑bedroom units and 10 two‑bedroom units, each two‑bedroom unit including a kitchen. The building plan includes multipurpose rooms, a dining room, fitness and meeting rooms, administrative support areas and outdoor amenities such as bocce courts and a walking path.

Staff and the applicant noted Cherry Hill Village overlay standards, which require projects in the overlay to be treated as planned development districts; staff said the site plan is largely consistent with the previously approved PDD and that some architectural standards in the overlay are suggestive rather than mandatory. Patrick recommended approval of the site plan subject to state, county and township requirements.

Dave Ebner, a board member for Independent Living Alliance, spoke in support and said the applicant had worked through right‑of‑way issues with Wayne County. Commission members expressed support; Commissioner Singh moved to recommend approval, with Commissioner Foster supporting. The roll‑call vote recorded yes votes from Commissioners Egenberger, Foster, Lee, Singh, Watkins, Weber and Chairperson Zuber. The motion carried.

Patrick told the commission the next step is final action by the township board and that the application could appear before the board as early as the “20‑eighth” of the month (as stated on the record). The transcript records the planning commission recommendation and the staff advisories to proceed with state, county and township permitting and PD agreement compliance.