Planning commission postpones master‑plan amendment request amid intersection safety concerns

The planning commission voted to postpone action on a private application to amend the master plan future land use for parcel 108‑99‑00001‑712 (South Sheldon Road) from low‑density residential (2 units/acre) to medium‑density residential (4 units/acre). Planning staff emphasized the master plan was adopted recently and highlighted chronic traffic congestion and safety issues at the nearby triangular intersection of Sheldon and Gettys roads and at Sheldon and Michigan Avenue.

Patrick Sloan recommended postponement pending coordination with Canton Municipal Services, MDOT and Wayne County, and potentially SEMCOG, to determine whether intersection improvements or other remedies are feasible. Staff cited a prior 2020 traffic review for nearby Redwood Marketplace that called the Shelton/Gettys signal operations at level‑of‑service F and suggested a coordinated multi‑agency approach is needed before changing future land‑use classifications that could add peak‑hour trips.

A representative for the applicant (Bear Jesian of Kier) was at the meeting and did not offer additional technical information. Township trustees present emphasized the township’s long‑term awareness of the intersection issue and said the township seeks partners to fund or design an intersection‑improvement project before advancing land‑use changes. The commission unanimously approved the motion to postpone the application to allow municipal services staff to pursue road‑agency coordination.