Flat Rock council directs final Bradbury Park PUD draft; residents press for clearer park funding and fence rules

The Flat Rock City Council authorized staff to prepare a final planned unit development agreement for the Bradbury Park project and return the item to council for formal approval, advancing the amendment from a draft stage to the city’s next review step.

The council’s action follows a staff and developer presentation that the amendment remains at step 12 of the PUD process under section 24.04 of the city zoning ordinance and will move toward step 13 once a final PUD is drafted and filed with the Wayne County Register of Deeds. City Attorney (presenter) told the council the draft PUD must be finalized before council can pass the ordinance amendment and that the planning commission will conduct the final site-plan determination after the PUD is recorded.

Why it matters: the PUD amendment affects lot layouts, alleys and easements in the Bradbury Park neighborhood and will govern what future builders and the planning commission can enforce. Residents said changes could affect fence setbacks, driveway access and who is responsible for maintaining former alleyways.

Developer and association representatives at the meeting asked for flexibility on an item in the draft agreement that currently lists a $25,000 contribution toward park improvements. Doug Morris of Rochester Property Management Group, who said he represents several Bradbury Park associations, told council the developer previously indicated willingness to contribute but asked that the agreement say the contribution will be “to be determined” after planning commission review and bids are obtained. Morris said the association expects costs to be higher than $25,000 and requested the amount be worked out with the planning commission.

“...we'd like it just to read to be determined, once the planning commission gets together because we think it's going to cost a little bit more than that to accomplish what we're looking to accomplish,” Morris said.

A builder at the meeting offered an alternative approach, saying the developer would consider escrowing a larger amount to smooth the transaction. “I would be glad to go on the high side if you wanna put that in the notes of the meeting just to make it a smooth transaction,” the builder said.

Residents who spoke during the public comment period asked for clarity about how alley closures would affect existing fence and line-of-sight rules. One resident said she had installed a 45-degree corner on a fence because an alley required a five-foot line-of-sight setback; she asked whether the loss of an alley would remove that requirement and allow her to enclose the full yard.

City staff responded that converting an alley to an easement or open space does not automatically change all property-line or setback rules, and that enforcement and final wording will be addressed in the final PUD and through the building and planning departments. The city attorney and staff committed to meeting with affected property owners and the city planner to review parcel-specific questions before the final PUD returns to council.

Council action: the council moved and approved a directive for the city attorney to prepare the final PUD draft and return it for council approval as an amendment to the zoning ordinance. The council recorded that the draft at this meeting does not itself amend the ordinance; the ordinance amendment will occur when council approves the final PUD.

What’s next: city staff will draft the final PUD, incorporate necessary engineering sign-offs and any agreed changes, and bring the ordinance/amendment back to council for a recorded vote and subsequent recording with the Wayne County Register of Deeds. Planning commission will then take the final site-plan determination and act as the enforcement mechanism for the recorded PUD.

Ending: Council members and city staff encouraged residents with site-specific questions to meet with the city planner and the building director to confirm how changes will affect individual lots and fence enforcement.