Conservancy Wants Land Safe From Development

DETROIT-The Oakland Land Conservancy is looking to buy four parcels of land in Oakland County to keep them away from developers forever. Three of the parcels make up almost 240 acres in Oakland Township, where developers are clamoring to build in the posh, new growth area north of Detroit.

The township land consists of three pieces of park land. Voters are considering a ballot question Nov. 5 to have the township pay the conservancy, based in the township, $10,000 to take control of the three parcels.

Park Manager Mindy Milos-Dale says a conservation easement would be placed on the parcels to keep them from development. New residential and commercial projects have threatened to overwhelm the township, considered one of the top three most desirable places to live in Southeast Michigan.

The conservancy is also is seeking funds to buy 16 privately-owned acres in Southfield, near a busy intersection of Telegraph Road and I-696/Lodge freeways.

Conservancy officials are working with the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and the city to purchase the land. A similar conservation easement would then protect the land.

The property is also located in a valuable area, at one of the busiest freeway intersections in Michigan. Southfield is considered the largest business area in the Detroit metropolitan area, and most of the business is clustered around this intersection.