Planning Commission approves preliminary condominium plan for former Shelton School site, 39 single‑family lots

The Clawson Planning Commission voted Feb. 11 to approve a preliminary condominium subdivision plan for the former Shelton School site, a city‑zoned R2 parcel the planner said is 8.117 acres and proposed for 39 detached single‑family lots.

City planner Joe reviewed the process under Section 6.4 of the zoning ordinance: approval of a preliminary condominium plan allows the developer one year to submit a final condominium plan and to proceed with engineering review, after which the commission reviews a "final preliminary" plan and forwards recommendations to city council. Joe said the submission shows all 39 lots meet the city’s minimum 50‑foot lot width and 5,500‑square‑foot lot size, and that standard setbacks (25‑foot front, combined 15 feet for sides, and 35‑foot rear) and a two‑car garage requirement are met on the plans.

Representatives from Robertson Brothers Homes — Tim Loughran, vice president of land acquisition, and Jack Flynn — presented the revised by‑right design. Flynn said the project is no longer a PUD and that the company reduced the layout to 39 homes (from 44 previously). The applicant described the home product as roughly in the mid‑two‑thousand square‑foot range and said the design is similar to elevations used at their Normandy Oaks project in Royal Oak.

On safety and drainage, Loughran told the commission “there will be no retaining wall” in final grading and said the development’s engineered grading and storm manholes are intended to prevent runoff onto neighboring yards. On the detention pond, the applicant said it is designed to be dry except during rain events, will be seeded with a native mix and — where slope thresholds require it — will have a 4‑foot decorative aluminum fence to meet county requirements. A neighbor, Ron Bursing, told the commission he experiences backyard flooding during heavy rains and asked how the project would affect his yard; the applicant responded the development will not add water to neighboring properties and is expected to capture some runoff already flowing onto the site.

Residents also asked about ownership and timing. Loughran said Robertson Brothers has the property under contract with the school district and will close after final approvals. Multiple commissioners emphasized that building heights and individual house designs are reviewed at the building‑permit stage and must meet the city’s 25‑foot height limit in R2.

Commissioner (speaker 3) moved for approval; the motion was seconded and roll call recorded affirmative votes by commissioners present. Staff and the applicant said next steps include engineering review, submittal of more detailed drawings for utilities and road sections, and eventual return to the commission and city council for final approvals and permitting.