Despite pressure from developers to speed up the process, city officials voted to table a rezoning request for the plan. Mayor Patricia Lockwood said she is concerned about the economic impact the retail area would have on existing businesses, and the DDA's efforts to revitalize downtown. The land was formerly a farm owned by Alice Foley, who died in March. The project would feature 15, three-story apartment buildings and five townhouses.
Officials say such a system offers strong hope for pollution control and cleaner lakes.
Sarah Stapleton, the developer's engineer, said the system will reduce the runoff into Lake Ponemah by 20 percent. An offer by the Foley family to donate 35 acres of the property, located north of the railroad tracks in Fenton Township, for use as a community park has made the deal even sweeter. According to the master plan, the intended use of the property is single family housing. It is zoned Medium Density Residential. After a public hearing last Monday, city officials opted to table the rezoning request.