Canton Planning Commission recommends approval of Woodbridge Estates PDD amendment

The Canton Township Planning Commission on an affirmative vote recommended approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Woodbridge Estates Plan Development District and a site plan amendment for the project’s final phase, approving changes to building layouts, elevations and minor setbacks while keeping the originally approved unit count.

The amendment affects parcels on the south side of Gettys Road between Southback and Denton Roads and preserves the previously approved total number of units for the development, which was originally approved in February 2002. Township staff said the development was approved for 476 dwelling units on 68.6 acres and that 311 of those units have already been constructed.

Planning staff summarized the proposal and the rationale for the requested modifications. Patrick (staff member) said the changes move some buildings slightly farther from the curb to reduce instances of vehicles overhanging sidewalks and add a third, non-bedroom flexible room to many two-bedroom units. “The added room to the units is not a bedroom. It’s just a third room for those two‑bedroom units that can be used for a home office or a rec room,” Patrick said.

Staff described three specific setback modifications requested because moving building fronts back to improve driveway clearance created small encroachments in other areas: a rear separation reduced from 80 feet to 75 feet between certain buildings; a side‑to‑rear minimum separation reduced from 60 feet to 55 feet for one pair of buildings; and rear yard setbacks on the south side reduced from 60 feet to 55 feet for Buildings 47–52. Patrick told the commission the parcel to the south is zoned light industrial research and currently vacant, and buffer standards would apply if that parcel is developed.

Alex Bogartz, the project architect, described design updates, including two‑car garages and preserved architectural themes to match earlier phases. He said unit sizes range from about 1,200 to more than 1,800 square feet and that the two‑car garages will remove some on‑street parking pressure. “We’ve made a special effort to keep the building footprint exactly the same as the previous building footprint so that we could not have significant changes to the site plan simply because all utilities are in,” Bogartz said.

Several Woodbridge Estates residents spoke in support. Nancy Wiggle, who said she lives in the community, told the commission she supports the changes and the addition of two‑car garages. “One improvement in the units…I’m all for the two‑car garages,” Wiggle said. Other residents provided similar testimony about reduced street parking and perceived safety benefits.

Commissioner Weber moved to recommend approval of Amendment No. 1 and the site plan amendment, with the motion supported by Commissioner Lee. The roll‑call vote recorded Commissioners Egenberger, Foster, Lee, Singh, Watkins, Weber and Chairperson Zuber as voting yes; Commissioners Cruz and Janowski were absent. The motion carried.

The commission’s recommendation is conditioned on meeting all state, county and township requirements and any revisions to landscape plans to comply with Article 5 of the zoning ordinance and any PD agreement revisions required by township legal counsel. Staff also noted the applicant agreed to show an emergency vehicle stub connection at the southeast corner to the adjacent development, providing an additional emergency access point.

Commission discussion focused on design compatibility with earlier phases, parking improvements, and the emergency access connection. No written objections from the public were reported; staff said one resident asked clarifying questions prior to the hearing and was provided plan pages.

The commission’s action is a recommendation to the township board; the transcript records the planning commission vote and conditions but does not itself adopt the PD amendment as final township law.