Wedge proposal withdrawn again

STERLING HEIGHTS — For the second time, a developer of a proposed mixed-use project known as The Wedge at Sterling Heights has withdrawn the application before the Sterling Heights City Council could vote on it.

While it was on the council’s Nov. 15 meeting agenda, they removed the item from consideration because the developer, BOSC Realty Advisors LLC, pulled the plan.

Mayor Michael Taylor said that, based on his knowledge, the developer has talked to local community members who live near the site, as well as council members.

“They do not believe that there is support from the community to go forward with this project,” he said. “So rather than come here and waste anybody’s time, they wanted to just withdraw. So that’s where it’s at, and that’s why it’s not on the agenda tonight.”

In its original form, the Wedge concept was planned to occupy around 10 acres along the south side of M-59, west of Sterritt Street. The original concept was classified as a planned unit development, which gives the developer some flexibility  and streamlines zoning issues.

The originally designed Wedge proposal would have been a mixed-use development containing a five-story building with apartments and a grocery store, as well as three separate retail buildings. The property would have been close to single-story homes. According to BOSC, the target demographics for the apartments were young professionals and empty nesters.   

The City Council originally heard the proposal July 5, and many residents came out to opine on the project, with most opposing it for reasons such as potential noise, traffic and building height. The council had planned to take a vote on the Wedge July 19 but struck the item from the agenda after announcing that the application had been withdrawn.

Then in October, BOSC Realty Advisors submitted a revised PUD plan to the Sterling Heights Planning Commission. Among other details, the updated proposal reportedly envisioned four retail buildings and two four-floor apartment buildings containing a total of 172 units. The Planning Commission reportedly voted 5-3, with one absence, to recommend that the City Council reject the plan.

At the Nov. 15 meeting, Councilman Michael Radtke expressed his dissatisfaction over how the latest version of the plan was withdrawn.

“I just briefly wanted to tell the petitioner that I am frankly frustrated with this song and dance they keep on pulling with the City Council,” he said. “If they, you know, put forward a plan, let’s have a vote. Let’s have discussion.”

Despite the cancellation, some residents continued to opine on the proposed project.

Resident Ken Nelson said he wasn’t disappointed with the proposal’s withdrawal, and Nelson asked the mayor whether he had heard anything about the odds of the developer  redoing the development plans.

Another resident, Paul Michael, said he wanted to hear more discussion about the planned unit development option and its flexibility.

“It seems like the council and the Planning Commission, at least some people, believe they can do whatever they want,” he said. “And if that’s true, why don’t they just say under the ordinance that the City Council can do whatever they want?”

According to City Attorney Marc Kaszubski, at this point, BOSC Realty Advisors has the future option of either presenting a “substantially different” proposal for the property or having to wait a year to bring back a similar proposal.

“Substantially different would not be, come back with something with a parking space or two changed,” Kaszubski said. “It would have to be a major change in what they are proposing.”

BOSC Realty Advisors LLC did not respond for comment by press time.