Council clears way for Renton Street vacation and parcel consolidation to support Ferlito Group development

The council voted to authorize the vacation of a platted segment of Renton Street (north of Pontiac Trail and west of North Wixom Road) and to combine and subsequently divide multiple city-owned parcels to facilitate a pending conveyance to the Ferlito Group.

Assistant City Manager Benson told council the Renton Street vacation would allow the city, which owns the surrounding parcels, to combine and then redivide them into a parcel to be conveyed under the purchase agreement the council approved in May. Benson said the city would retain a 27-foot-by-475-foot strip along North Wixom Road to preserve a 60-foot from-center right-of-way width for potential sidewalks, on-street parking or turn lanes. "That right of way would give the city the opportunity to have a 60 foot from center, right of way width," Benson said.

Council members pressed staff that retaining the strip should not eliminate practical development options. Council member Behrman asked whether keeping the strip would preclude sidewalk or trail options and noted past council direction about not creating a large vacant buffer between the street and new development. Benson and staff said retaining the strip preserved flexibility and could be adjusted later if needed. The combined parcel will be used to convey property to the developer as outlined in the purchase agreement; the council approved the recommendations by voice vote.