Dense Mixed-use Project Faces Challenges

"We're in the very preliminary stages of a mixed-use project," Qadeer toldGlobeSt.com. "We don't have any specifics yet, it's fairly early."

The company gave a presentation to the township Planning Commission andresidents on April 9, Qadeer said.Beztak unveiled a plan to build the homes and sell them for around $300,000.The retail will cost roughly $85 per square foot, according to Qadeer.

The 191-acre property is zoned for one-acre lots, but Qadeer said thecompany is trying to work around the requirement."If you serve the whole site with sewer, which we want to do because of theretail, you can go with a lower lot size," he said. "We've got somelatitude. We're going to try to work with the township and the community, tofind an alternative solution that's best for everybody."

There are still other ways to develop the property, Qadeer said. He saidthere is no absolute preferred project yet within the company. The companyhopes to have a proposal put together for township review by the end of themonth.

A purchase agreement has been arranged with the property owners, Qadeersaid. Part of the property was formerly the Erwin Orchards and Cider Mill.The property is perfect for new homes for the people that are part of thewestern migration from Detroit, Qadeer said."It has great access to the Metropark system and the I-96 freeway," he said.