The proposals were rejected by the township. The two plans do not havemerit, nor do they fit the community's master plan, said township officials.
Now, Brookside Communities has joined F&H in a lawsuit, asking the OaklandCounty Circuit Court to rule that not allowing such development is a takingof the land from the owners, the Sucher family.Township officials claim that the lawsuit characterizes the area as nothaving enough affordable housing. The township is undergoing muchhigh-priced housing developments.
However, township officials said that 20% of the area's existinghousing is located in two mobile home parks. Additionally, the township hassix mobile home parks located on its borders, and a total of 27 parks within10 miles.
"A variety of other housing types exist or are being built in the townshipand surrounding market area," says Chris Olson, the township superintendent.Also, he says new low-cost housing developments would not be transitionalwith the surrounding land. The farm land is bordered by single-familyresidences, active farms and a lake, Olson said.
"High-density development...is a poor fit," he adds.
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