Senior Housing Project Moving Forward in Brighton Township Senior Housing Project Moving Forward in Brighton Township

1/15/13 - A new independent senior living facility will be constructed in Brighton Township. The Planning Commission met Monday night and gave preliminary site plan approval to the Mill Creek senior living project that will be located on Ford Road, a portion of which will be reconstructed. The project calls for two living components that officials say will co-exist as one – Mill Creek Cottages and Mill Creek Manor. The cottages are similar to condos with attached garages and the others are apartment style suites, both with patios or balconies and community flower and vegetable gardens. Paved walking paths around ponds and benches with landscaping are also planned on the site that totals just under 18 acres. The project targets individuals age 55 and older and offers a wide variety of amenities so that residents really don’t have to leave the site unless they want to. Commissioners applauded the proposal, saying a nice job was done balancing the aesthetics while making it livable and safe. One resident raised some fire safety concerns with the number of people on each level and available staff to assist them with getting out in an emergency. Officials indicated that there will be a full fire suppression sprinkler system throughout the buildings as well as “refuge” areas on each floor for residents who need assistance. Project Engineer Chris Grzenkowicz tells WHMI plans call for a high quality development designed around activity and social interaction that is barrier free and accessible. Officials hope to break ground sometime this year but say a project of this nature could take anywhere from 12 to 24 months to complete. Ideally, they say areas would be constructed simultaneously but market studies will determine what stages will be done and when. Being the project is commercial in nature, it does not go to the township board for approval and any changes to plans will be handled administratively and in the form of building permits. Township officials indicated that parking, signage, lighting and landscaping are all in compliance and conceptual approval has also been given by the Brighton Area Fire Authority along with the Livingston County Drain Commissioner’s Office and Road Commission. (JM)