By: Dean Vaglia | Macomb Chronicle | Published April 17, 2023
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — The Macomb Township Board of Trustees took a step to expand the footprint of one of its newest parks, buying a home located around the soon-to-be Pitchford Park at its April 12 meeting.
Located along Romeo Plank Road between 22 Mile and 23 Mile roads, township trustees approved the purchase of the property at 49625 Romeo Plank Road for $350,000, plus additional fees and closing costs. It was previously owned by the Fischer family, who township officials praised for their cooperation during the Pitchford Park construction process.
“I want to thank Mr. Jim Fischer and his son, Jeremy, for working with us so we can get this done,” Township Supervisor Frank Viviano said. “I believe it is going to be very nice for the residents to be able to have access to that property, and it will improve the overall aesthetic of the park when it’s all said and done.”
About two acres will be added to the park through the sale. Pitchford Park is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
Zoning notice policy change
After several residents spoke out in January against a rezoning they were not informed of, the Macomb Township Planning and Zoning Department has revised its notification policies.
Approved by Macomb Township Board of Trustees on April 12, the new policies require public notice signs be posted on parcels that are being considered for rezoning.
The signs are reusable and will cost $150, with one sign going up every 700 feet of consecutive road frontage. The cost will now be part of the rezoning application fee, though parcels are only required to have four signs. Signs will go up at least 15 days before the public hearing and will be removed within five days of the hearing.
Several residents along 25 Mile and Broughton roads spoke against the rezoning of a parcel at that intersection. Approved to be rezoned from residential to commercial, residents argued the 300-foot radius for mailers — which remains township policy — was insufficient due to the distances between homes in more rural parts of the township.
“I reached out to a number of folks ... including some neighboring communities,” Planning Director Josh Bocks said. “Shelby, Washington, Clinton, Chesterfield, Rochester (and) Sterling Heights, and it was pretty unanimous that the 300-foot radius for the mailings was what we should stick with. You can run into some troubles trying to justify what other number you use if you chose to expand that. The common solution was to put up signage.”
The changes are set to go into effect on June 1.
Additionally, two rezoning projects — Hampton Manor of Macomb and Macomb Town Center South, phases II, III, IV and V — were granted extra time to complete their rezonings.
Other business
Also on April 12, Mount Clemens-based Mando Construction was awarded the contract to perform the first phase of renovations at the senior center. The contract is for $158,444.
James Veal was reappointed to the Clinton-Macomb Public Library Board of Trustees. Veal was originally appointed last year to finish Michael Lotito’s term on the board and is now set to serve a full term, expiring April 30, 2027.
Kenneth Dalpra was promoted to the position of parks supervisor I. Dalpra came to Macomb Township in 2014 after working in Warren’s parks for 25 years. The position was made to prepare for the addition of Pitchford Park and Lucido River Park.