Wixom council raises safety concerns about proposed West Maple elementary, sets public hearing March 10

Wixom’s City Council on Monday pressed the Walled Lake Consolidated School District to address traffic and pedestrian safety at the proposed Wixom Elementary at 3515 West Maple Road, authorizing a letter to the district and setting a public hearing for March 10.

Assistant City Manager Drew Benson told the council the city’s review found four broad categories of concern: incomplete plan details (for example, proposed student/teacher counts and accessory‑structure information), omission of a sidewalk along the school’s frontage, the lack of a signalized pedestrian crossing at a new four‑way crossing, and no meaningful off‑site road improvements such as left‑turn or acceleration/deceleration lanes. “To date, we have not issued any of those permits and we have indicated to the district that at the bare minimum we would like to see the review comments and approvals from the state,” Benson said.

Residents and staff described the daily traffic pressures they expect. Michelle Abley, who identified herself as a resident and secretary at Winston Elementary, said the school day produces dozens of parent pick‑ups and several buses and that the proposed site lacks a right‑turn lane or adequate turn stacking: “We have 72 parents that usually pick up kids at the end of the school day… They say that the traffic flow is gonna accommodate everybody to be able to pull in off the road. I don't see that happening.” Bridal Fisher and Michael McDonald told the council they fear drivers will use neighborhood streets to turn around or queue on Maple Road, and asked the city to withhold permits until the district agrees to improvements.

Council members voiced strong concern about safety if the district’s traffic plan is implemented without changes. Staff said much of the school design falls under state review or the district’s prerogative, limiting the city’s authority, but they urged the council to publicize concerns and requested that the district provide state review documentation. Benson recommended sending a formal letter to the district asking for additional plan detail and state approvals; council members voted unanimously to send the letter and to schedule a March 10 public hearing to gather more resident testimony.

The council discussed non‑regulatory options should the district decline to act, including a public hearing and use of permit holds where the city has jurisdiction over water, sewer and right‑of‑way approvals. The council emphasized the importance of informing residents that some aspects of school siting and design are outside the city’s direct control and urged citizens to attend upcoming school‑board meetings.

Next steps: the city will send the drafted letter to the district and hold the March 10 public hearing to collect additional testimony and potentially refine or escalate the city’s formal requests to state reviewers.