Keego’s 'Village Plan' progresses

KEEGO HARBOR — When discussing aspirations for 2023, Keego Harbor Mayor Rob Kalman shared an update on a master plan to transform a section of Keego Harbor along Cass Lake Road into a walkable, traditional, small-scaled village.

The “Village Plan” was approved by the city’s Tax Incremental Finance Authority in 2021, which preceded approval at a Keego City Council meeting.

The plan was approved after the Gibbs Planning Group, which is located in Birmingham, conducted a study on behalf of the city.

According to the city, the plan calls for a “new, traditional” village along a half-mile stretch of Cass Lake Road, north of Orchard Lake Road.

“Going forward. We’re completing the ordinances that are going to be needed to allow movement and progress,” Kalman said. “So, that’s something we’re working on (at) the Planning Commission level; also, the City Council level. You’re showing developers and business owners you’re serious about moving the city forward. … It’s taken a long time to move through it, but we’re coming to the resolution, if you will.”

In order to progress and make the plan a reality, Keego City Council members recognized that some changes were in order.

“It’s a 20-year vision as to what we want Cass Lake Road and more of a central business district to look like, and we worked with Bob Gibbs and his regional planning firm to develop that image and the vision, and as part of it, we had to come up with some ordinance changes to allow some of these visions to come to fruition,” Kalman said. “For example, (on) Cass Lake, you’re only allowed a one-story business in that district, and a lot of businesses, they want two or three story. That’s not allowable under the old plans, so we’re making an ordinance to allow it to happen, and that will, hopefully, spur some developments along Cass Lake Road. … There’s 170 ordinances we’re changing in that central business district to allow future development and positive growth.”

Kalman’s reflections from last year also included work that has been accomplished by Keego’s Parks and Recreation Department.

“When I look at things that have taken place, I’m going to highlight people who work in our Parks and Rec Commission,” he said. “They put into motion some Keego block parties, and I think getting community members engaged and (enjoying) our parks — especially the Keego block party. That’s a nice activity. It was once a month, I think, June, July and August. That’s something, I think, is going to continue, so I applaud their efforts and the enthusiasm they have.”

If all goes well, there could be even more positive parks and recreation news in Keego to come.

City Council member Ashley Attisha stated in an email that the Parks and Recreation Commission is continuously applying for grants and seeking to improve public spaces.

“Namely, we recently applied for the Michigan Sparks Grant, which provides financial support for ‘projects that provide safe, accessible, public recreation facilities and spaces to improve people’s health, introduce new recreation experiences, build on existing park infrastructure and make it easier for people to enjoy both indoor and outdoor recreation.’ … We will find out whether the city is awarded this grant for a project later this year.”

Aside from progress on the Village Plan, Keego residents may also have some improved road conditions to look forward to this year through cooperation between the federal government, the Road Commission for Oakland County and Keego Harbor.

“I just left a meeting with the Oakland County Road Commission, and there’s going to be a major project starting after the 4th of July. … Total resurfacing, reconstruction of Orchard Lake Road between Middlebelt and Commerce Road,” Kalman said. “We’re going to be dealing with a lot of the drainage issues in certain areas, so that’s a big project that’s going to be taking place in the next year. … It’s a major project; we’re talking a couple million dollars.”

Despite the poor condition of the road and construction being the only way to solve it, Kalman understands that people’s patience can be short when it comes to road work.

“You can see the divots and the potholes,” he said. “It’s funny; people say, ‘Man, this road’s in horrible shape.’ I’m hoping that they have some patience … during the summer months and the fall when road construction’s going on. We all know it has to be done.”

Kalman also expects development projects that could lead to “Class-A” apartment buildings and condominiums on Cass Lake Road to come to fruition going forward.

He described the current state of Keego as “excellent.”

“I think we’ve got a good group of people working to make the city progress, to move in the right direction — working on ordinances to help businesses, working on plans to help the residents, working on plans to help protect home values and protect the city residents,” Kalman said. “We’re moving in the right direction. … We’ve got expenses just like any homeowner, business or municipality, but we manage. We keep a balanced budget every year. Financially, we’re very cautious with how we spend taxpayers’ money, looking for value.”