Commission approves Trane Technologies connector and parking changes at 5824–5828 Craft Ave with conditions

The Cascade Charter Township Planning Commission on Sept. 22 approved a site-plan modification allowing an enclosed above-ground connector between two Trane Technologies buildings at the Craft Avenue campus and additional parking on the south side of the property, subject to conditions requiring updated plan sheets, a modified stormwater maintenance agreement and a recorded lot combination.

Staff explained the connector (described in the packet as a covered, fully enclosed connector) is intended to move equipment and materials between buildings and to allow weather-protected logistics in winter months. The commission and applicant said the connector must be shown on all plan sheets; staff also noted additional parking to the south will relieve off-site parking and circulation concerns identified when the larger building was approved last year.

The engineer representing the applicant said the connector will be sized to permit material-handling equipment: “It’s enough for 2 high lows to get past each other,” the engineer said, and noted the connector will have a concrete floor and guards to protect equipment. Staff and the applicant said the lots will be combined and that the combined parcel will be recorded prior to construction of the connector.

Commissioners asked that staff remove overly broad motion language that referenced operation by testimonial and instead rely on the site-plan conditions. The approved motion requires the applicant to revise all plan sheets to indicate the connector’s final location, to modify the stormwater maintenance agreement to reflect project changes, and to finalize and record the lot combination with Kent County prior to connector construction. The motion passed by voice vote.