Township considers major rezoning to boost business district

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed a proposed rezoning for a property located at 39453 and 39479 Ford Road, identified by parcel number 499-900-1708. The proposal seeks to change the zoning from a C-3 Regional Commercial and Corporate Park Overlay District to a C-3 Regional Commercial and Central Business District Overlay.

Patrick, a representative at the meeting, explained that the applicant intends to maintain the underlying C-3 zoning while altering the overlay district designation. This shift aligns with a broader trend observed over the past few years, where several properties have transitioned out of the corporate park overlay in favor of the central business district overlay. Notable examples include the Top Caton facility and a residential property further south.

The current master plan for the area recommends the elimination of the corporate park overlay and the extension of the central business district overlay eastward. This plan has been in place since at least 2017, although the township has not yet initiated any comprehensive rezonings while undergoing a master plan rewrite. Instead, individual applications like the one discussed are being considered.

The proposed rezoning is consistent with the master plan's vision for the area, which aims to extend the central business district overlay along Ford Road, enhancing commercial opportunities. The site currently houses a Guitar Center and will also feature Blossom Children's Services as a tenant, indicating a shift towards a more diverse commercial landscape in the region.