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Commission approves Falcon Commercial land-swap rezoning, but neighbors press traffic and screening concerns
Summary
The commission approved rezoning and a planned development to allow a Falcon Commercial driveway to move off Spring Hollow Drive via a land swap that includes donating land and omitting a redundant fence in exchange for property improvements; residents raised traffic, visibility and foundation concerns and staff cited BNSF opposition to an at‑grade rail crossing.
The Saginaw Planning and Zoning Commission on Nov. 11 approved a planned development and related straight rezoning needed for a land swap that will let Falcon Commercial Development relocate a driveway away from Spring Hollow Drive and into McElroy Boulevard.
Walker White, representing Falcon Commercial, told the commission the company negotiated a land swap with an adjacent metal‑forming neighbor so the developer can own the parcel fronting McElroy and build the driveway there. White said the developer will use funds saved from not building a redundant screen fence to improve and cap roughly an acre of land to give the neighbor equivalent usable property. "We will own everything in the orange," White said, adding the change will move outdoor storage out of sight and keep trucks off the neighborhood street.
Multiple residents and reply letters raised concerns about traffic, noise and property impacts. Resident Alan Gent asked whether a traffic study had been performed and requested the city publish a crossing cost analysis; he told the commission that train blockages sometimes keep traffic from moving for extended periods. Staff replied that a traffic impact analysis (TIA) was conducted and that impacts were under regulatory thresholds. Staff also read correspondence from BNSF stating it "will not approve an at grade crossing" at the Burlington or Minton locations and that a grade‑separated overpass would carry much higher costs and long timelines.
The Spring Creek Homeowners Association submitted a letter signed by board members in support of the compromise. HOA president Alex Coste told the commission the HOA’s priority was keeping trucks out of the neighborhood and that, while imperfect, the land‑swap solution had been worked on for about a year.
City staff advised the commission to amend PD language to ensure required neighborhood screening covers three end lots at the north end of Spring Hollow Drive. Commissioners discussed language changes, possible conditions and the legal enforceability of screening and fence commitments tied to the PD. After an initial vote and a subsequent procedural reconsideration to exclude a recused member, the commission approved the PD and straight rezoning changes and will forward them to city council as the next step.
No specific vote tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript.
What's next: the ordinances and PD recommendation will be forwarded to Saginaw City Council, and staff said it will continue civil reviews and coordinate any additional conditions such as screening details and follow‑up communications with residents.
