Developers present Watermark Terrace mixed‑use plan; council hears detailed concerns about parking, height and stormwater

Representatives for the Watermark Terrace project presented a refreshed proposal for a three‑story mixed‑use building in downtown Walled Lake and answered council questions about parking, building height and stormwater. Council did not vote on the proposal; staff said the item will return for further review and negotiation.

The applicant described a development that would include first‑floor coworking and office space and two upper floors containing 17 two‑bedroom apartments. The development team said the design includes an accessible unit on the first floor and premium finishes for tenants. The applicant stated the front elevation of the proposed building reaches about 39 feet and the rear about 35 feet because of an 11‑foot grade change across the site.

On parking, the applicant said the revised plan adds seven parallel spaces on East Walled Lake Drive, four spaces on Witherell Street and two on Furland Street for a total of 13 new on‑site/on‑frontage spaces. The applicant also reported an arrangement with a nearby church for 10 to 15 overflow spaces to be used during construction and by tenants. The development team said it will mark leased overflow spaces with signage and direct residents and visitors to use them.

Stonefield Engineering, the project’s civil engineer, told the council the on‑site stormwater design will follow Oakland County standards: detain a 100‑year storm, provide water‑quality measures to capture sediment and oils, and discharge at a metered rate to reduce peak flows into the city system. Stonefield said the project team will coordinate with BOSS Engineering and city stormwater improvements in the downtown corridor where possible.

The developers also disclosed a brownfield assessment and remediation estimate performed by SME, with preliminary cleanup/documentation costs reported in the low seven‑figures; they noted a potential EGLE grant of approximately $1 million that may offset remediation costs.

Several councilmembers and residents raised objections at length. Questions from council members focused on whether the plan had changed since Planning Commission review, driveway/turning geometry for trucks, location of utility conduits and roof mechanical equipment, and whether the proposed parking supply would be adequate. A resident who identified her address as 415 East Walled Lake Drive presented a detailed critique, saying the project would exceed allowed density without appropriate off‑site parking, would exceed local height limits and would shadow adjacent properties in winter months. That speaker urged council to deny variances for height and parking.

Councilmembers said staff and the applicant will continue to work through outstanding issues. The city manager told the council there was no final decision; city staff will review the applicant’s responses and return with recommendations. The Planning Commission had forwarded the application to city council for final action after hearings and conditions at the commission level.

No formal variance or rezoning was approved at the meeting, and the council did not vote to grant the downtown parking reduction or height exceptions during the session.