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Residents press council over Watermark Terrace and 7‑11/Speedway plans; staff say no council approvals yet
Summary
Dozens of residents expressed concern about wetlands, floodplain impacts, parking and traffic tied to the Watermark Terrace and 7‑11/Speedway projects. Staff said planning commission recommended forwarding the Watermark CPD to council but no council approval has been taken; several speakers warned of legal challenges and agency complaints.
Walled Lake — Multiple residents used the meeting’s public‑comment period to press the city for stronger environmental, traffic and notice protections related to two separate downtown proposals: the Watermark Terrace mixed‑use project and a 7‑11/Speedway site at Decker and Maple. Staff told council the Watermark Terrace CPD was recommended by the planning commission but city attorney/staff work remained before council action.
What residents said: Tracy Millman and other nearby residents raised detailed environmental and process concerns about a parcel tied in public remarks to a 7‑11/Speedway proposal and to Watermark Terrace. Millman said the parcel includes wetlands and floodplain, that state and federal laws (she named the Wetland Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Act and mentioned Army Corps and other agencies) require permitting and public notice when retention/pond dimensions change, and that residents had not received required notices after plan changes. She said she planned to seek review through state and federal agencies and implied potential private legal action to halt construction if requirements are not met.
Other speakers cited downtown parking, traffic impacts and neighborhood safety: Mark Diederich (property owner at 246 Liberty St.) said his lot is used for overflow parking and expressed concern another development would worsen parking strain; several residents asked for traffic calming and greater police presence on Woods Court after a May law‑enforcement action.
Staff response and status: Planner Ms. Jaquay said Watermark Terrace is a proposed three‑story Commercial Planned Development (CPD) with ground‑floor commercial and residential above; at last week’s planning commission meeting that CPD recommendation was forwarded to council. Staff and the city attorney are working on a CPD agreement and on parking and stormwater management details. City Manager Dennis Witt and other staff repeatedly told residents that no council approval has occurred and that planning, engineering and attorney reviews are in process. Staff also noted that citizens may pursue legal remedies (for example under state endangered‑species regulations) if they believe laws have been violated.
Why it matters: Residents raised environmental, safety and notice concerns that could lead to technical reviews, permit conditions or legal challenges. Staff’s position — that planning/attorney reviews and CPD negotiations remain outstanding — means formal council action (and any approvals) would be scheduled only after those issues are addressed.
What’s next: Staff said planning commission findings, engineering/stormwater analyses and the city attorney’s review will be part of any formal council package. Residents were told the matter will be publicly noticed when it returns to a council agenda. Several residents said they will continue to monitor the process and may file complaints with state and federal agencies or seek court review.
