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Linden council approves Forest Ridge Estates PUD amid resident drainage concerns
Summary
The Linden City Council approved the Forest Ridge Estates Preliminary Unit Development with Planning Commission stipulations and bonding for road repairs, despite residents’ concerns about drainage, wetland buffers and construction traffic; Mayor Elizabeth Armstrong voted no.
On May 12, 2025, the Linden City Council approved the Forest Ridge Estates Preliminary Unit Development (PUD) after extended public comment and discussion about drainage and road impacts.
City Manager Ellen Glass introduced the agenda item and multiple residents raised concerns about ongoing water problems in adjacent developments, the need for adequate wetland buffers and the potential impact of new homes on existing drainage. The applicant, Danny Nemer, was present with his attorney, George Rizik, and engineer, Rade Beslac, and outlined project elements and proposed methods to address the drainage issues.
Councilors and the applicant discussed bonding and road monitoring to ensure construction does not worsen conditions. Don Grice, the city’s Director of Public Works, and councilors emphasized the Genesee County PASER road-rating and the need to protect Andrea Lane; legal counsel and applicant representatives debated which roads would be used for construction traffic and how bonding would be applied. Council sought expedited involvement of the Genesee County Drain Commission to address flooding concerns.
After debate, Councilor Pam Howd moved to approve the PUD with all Planning Commission stipulations, replacing Laura Lane with Andrea Lane in condition six and requiring bonding and expedited coordination with the county drain commission; Brenda Simons seconded the motion. The motion passed on a roll-call vote of 6-1 (Mayor Elizabeth Armstrong opposed).
The approval includes the Planning Commission’s conditions and a requirement that the developer post the necessary performance guarantee for road work and other stipulations before final permits proceed. Council directed staff to work with Genesee County officials to evaluate and mitigate drainage impacts before or concurrent with development activity.
Next steps will include finalizing the development agreement language, confirming bonding and construction access plans, and follow-up with the Genesee County Drain Commission to review flood‑mitigation measures.
