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Planning commission adopts policy to review open‑space plans during preliminary site‑plan review after Brookwood concerns
Summary
After public concerns about Brookwood North and confusion over when open‑space plans are reviewed, the Planning Commission adopted a policy to require open‑space plan review at the preliminary site‑plan stage so lot widths and green‑space commitments are visible earlier in the process.
The Lapeer City Planning Commission voted July 9 to adopt a policy requiring open‑space plan review to be scheduled concurrently with preliminary site‑plan review, a procedural change prompted by recent confusion over the Brookwood North project.
A public commenter, Geraldine Carson of Pure Township, told commissioners she believed the Brookwood North plan "was pushed through" without full due diligence, and that green‑space elements and other checklist items were not completed. "I'm very concerned that this planning commission... did not do their due diligence in regards to the Brookwood North plan," she said during public comment.
Staff and commissioners agreed that the ordinance does not explicitly require the open‑space plan to be considered during preliminary review, which contributed to uncertainty over lot widths and final approvals. City planning staff recommended — and commissioners supported — a policy requiring open‑space plan review as part of the preliminary process so that lot‑width reductions (for example, from 60 feet to 55 feet that were discussed during Brookwood) and green‑space commitments are evident early.
One commissioner moved to adopt a policy that the open‑space plan be scheduled with the preliminary site‑plan review; the motion was supported and carried on a voice vote. Commissioners asked staff to provide a written motion for the clerk for recordkeeping.
The policy is intended to provide clarity for applicants and residents earlier in the review process; it does not itself adjudicate or change any previously approved projects but will shape how future subdivision and site‑plan applications are reviewed.
The commission did not reverse any prior approvals; instead, it set a procedural expectation for future applications. Staff will return formal written language and determine whether an additional public hearing is required for ordinance or policy changes.
