Dexter council directs staff to draft annexation agreement for 45-acre proposal, with water and development conditions

The Dexter City Council voted to direct the city manager to draft a development agreement and to notify the state boundary commission that the city would consider annexing 45 acres owned by Baker Road Land Holdings, with conditions to address water infrastructure, buffers and construction routing.

The motion, brought forward by a council member and seconded on the floor, followed public comment from residents and a staff briefing on an independent review of a newly drilled well on the property. Resident David Morris told council, “I don't believe it's in the city's interest to pursue an annexation agreement without first determining or agreeing to the density and configuration of the proposed development and its impact on traffic safety,” and asked that the vote be delayed until traffic, environmental and neighborhood impacts are resolved.

Council and staff recounted a November 3 meeting with the permitting reviewer (EGLE) about the well. Staff read an agency communication that the requested reduction of the standard isolation radius from 200 feet to 100 feet “is reasonable and does not pose a risk to public health,” while noting that the well water will require treatment for arsenic and iron before distribution. Council was told the developer's 72‑hour pump test indicates the well can deliver up to about 800 gallons per minute, but that final permit and alignment review remain with the permitting authority.

Under the resolution language discussed at the meeting, the property owner would be required to enter into a binding agreement that would, at a minimum, document: design and installation of a water supply well meeting AWWA standards; donation of necessary land for integrating a municipal well and its isolation zone; and payment of required development utility fees. The Chair read the draft language into the record stating the property owner “agrees to donate to the city all land necessary for the integration of the aforementioned water supply well.”

Council members debated additional specifics to include as draft conditions before staff returns with formal language. Concerns raised included whether to cap the maximum number of housing units, how to limit construction traffic through the nearby Dexter Crossing neighborhood, when donated land and any developer contributions would be conveyed, and what steps would prevent future incremental expansion of the annexed area. One council member asked that timing and specific triggers (for example, whether required improvements must be completed before final site plan approval or before building permits are issued) be clarified in the draft agreement.

Representatives for Baker Road Land Holdings, including Tom Colbert of Midwestern Consulting and David London, said they are working with the pipeline owner on possible crossing locations to route construction access and that the project can be built with a strong buffer between new development and existing homes. London said the project team “can be satisfied at a 119 units” in current planning concepts and discussed a possible contribution toward well infrastructure during negotiations.

After extended discussion and several council members asking staff to capture a list of “must‑have” items for the draft agreement, the motion to direct the city manager to prepare a binding draft agreement and file the formal notice with the State Boundary Commission passed on a recorded roll call vote.

Next steps: staff will draft the agreement reflecting the council’s direction and return it for council review and approval; the draft will also be provided to the landowner for negotiation and may be used in discussions with Sio Township and the State Boundary Commission. Timing for completion of the draft agreement and any subsequent public hearings was not specified at the meeting.