3/11/14 - Some recommendations that would help turn the former Latson Road Elementary building into a commercial property were approved by the Genoa Township Planning Commission last night. The township acquired about 5 acres of the property for the westbound offramp of the new I-96 interchange, and the Howell School District is interested in marketing the remaining 14.5 acres to commercial developers. Last night, the planning commission held a public hearing to discuss the request of the school district and the township board to have the remaining land rezoned from rural residential to a non-residential PUD, which would allow for commercial activity on the same level as the big-box stores across Latson Road. This includes allowing developments as high as five stories, the tallest allowed in the township's history. No members of the public attended the meeting, and recommendations to make the changes were approved by the commission with only minor language adjustments. The only person in the audience was Howell Schools Assistant Superintendent of Business Rick Terres, who came to make sure the planning commission approved the requests of the district and the Genoa Township Board. He says the property is now listed and the district will move forward with discussing the possible future opportunities there. He says the property has been appraised for $5 million, and that value should increase with a real property benefits agreement from the township. The planning commission's recommendation of approval puts the new changes on track for final approval later this year. (TD)
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