Planning commission recommends Harvest Creek subdivision despite traffic concerns; Wayne County review still pending

The Canton Township Planning Commission voted May 5 to recommend approval of the Harvest Creek Plan Development District (PDD), a proposed residential subdivision of 18 single-family homes on a roughly 7-acre site at 1205 South Ridge Road.

Commissioner Foster moved to recommend approval, seconded by Commissioner Lee; the motion carried on roll-call with a 6–1 tally. Commissioner Janowski voted no; the remaining commissioners voted in favor. Staff and the applicant provided revisions to address prior concerns raised at a November 2024 hearing.

Staff said the revised plan removes a previously proposed stub street to the north and replaces it with a curving road and lots that wrap the curve. The packet includes a Wayne County Department of Public Services letter dated Feb. 27, 2025, that approves the proposed intersection location on South Ridge Road but notes that Wayne County has not completed its full geometric and engineering review. Staff said they will continue to coordinate with Wayne County on outstanding access engineering items.

Patrick, planning division staff, and the applicant’s engineer, Glenn Sorens of Michael Priese & Associates, presented the submission and described responses to five items the commission had asked the applicant to address in November: county review of the Ridge Road access, drainage and sewer connectivity, revised home elevations and materials, elimination of the north stub for future connectivity, and the submission of a traffic impact assessment.

Key project details in the staff report and materials include: the site contains just over 7 acres; the plan proposes 18 single-family homes; the developer proposes preserving heavily wooded areas and steep topography along the Lower Rouge River at the south end of the site; the plan retains just over 41% of the site as open space (exceeding the 25% minimum for PDDs); revised house elevations show at least 50% brick on each model; and the detention basin is sized at nearly double the Wayne County-required volume and is designed to discharge at roughly 10% of the maximum allowable rate under the county stormwater standard.

Staff acknowledged that several lots are narrower than standard lot-width requirements in the township code: for example, Lot 5 is 41.6 feet wide, Lot 6 is about 39.5 feet, and Lot 7 is 45.8 feet. The proposal requests modifications to the zoning and condominium ordinances for those lot-widths and related design details.

Commissioners raised public-safety and operational concerns. Commissioner Janowski, who voted no, said he remained worried the density and lot configuration were “all real cramped in there” and questioned whether the layout was consistent with other parts of Canton. Commissioner Watkins urged staff to keep traffic and fire-safety issues at the forefront as the project proceeds. Staff noted the project has 18 units, below the ordinance threshold that would require a secondary access under the condominium rules; the fire department reviewed the plan for emergency access feasibility.

The commission’s motion recommended approval of the PDD and the requested zoning and condominium modifications, subject to all state, county, and township requirements and further engineering reviews. Commissioners asked staff to continue following up with Wayne County and to ensure condition compliance during site plan and construction review.