"Yes" vote on $250 million dollar Lake Michigan development
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Updated: 8:02 AM Nov 12, 2008
"Yes" vote on $250 million dollar Lake Michigan development
Tuesday night, in a close 4-3 vote, the Lincoln Township Board approved a 250-million dollar condo and commercial development. Residents and board members have mixed reaction to the vote.
Posted: 10:46 PM Nov 11, 2008
Reporter: Sarah Platt
Email Address: sarah.platt@wndu.com
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The Stevensville area has an economic boost in its future. Tuesday night, in a close 4-3 vote, the Lincoln Township Board approved the 250-million dollar condo and commercial development.

The 32-acre project will sit between the Lake Michigan waterfront and Red Arrow Highway. Last month, the board had a tied vote of 3-3 on the project. At that meeting, one member couldn't cast his vote due to a family-emergency.

But Tuesday night, in a re-vote, that board member’s vote was included-- and the project approved.

That means developer Anthony Perry moves forward with the Lakeside Beach Club development. Perry is President of Anthony Perry Designs & Builds, based in Libertyville, Illinois.

The Lakeside Beach Club is a mixture of 19 homes, five buildings for condos, and several commercial buildings.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that people came out to support the project, so many of the neighbors have come out, close to a dozen meetings to support us,” explains Perry.

“I think it's super. He has done more than any developer could think of doing,” adds Ben Berry, a local resident who’s pleased with the project.

But other residents and board members were disappointed with the vote’s outcome. They say the proposed five-story development violates a Lincoln Township ordinance-- which only allows a maximum of three-stories.

“We were opposed to this project from beginning,” says Robert Elliot, who lives near the development project.

“The bottom line for me was the height of the building. We passed a master plan that said the building was no more than three stories,“ adds Lincoln Township Board Trustee Al Pscholka.

“This is a beautiful piece of property, we're sure something can be done, we just don't have to violate our ordinances to have that,” says Elliot.

But despite the protests, the developer says he intends to be a good and green neighbor.

“This project actually has less units, significantly less units than what it could, we're not sinking bonuses, we're not asking for density, but what we want to do is a sensitive development on this site,” explains Perry. “The people that made the effort to learn about the project, support it.”

The final plans for the Lakeside Beach Club development still have to be approved by the Lincoln Township Board. Those plans will be discussed at a future meeting.

Perry says he hopes to break ground this spring. He says it will take seven to ten years to complete the entire project.


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