Village okays housing plan
It’s been on the drawing board for a long time, but Franklin Properties got the official go-ahead from the Village of Dundee to begin building its 700-home subdivision north of the high school.

Village Council members approved the development agreement between the Village, Franklin Properties and Dundee Community Schools. The approval had been contingent on the company getting an easement from the school for the extension of Ypsilanti Street into the development.

In exchange for the easement, the developer is giving the school 10 acres and some cash.

“It was a lengthy, tough process, but we finally got what this board requested, which was an extension of the street,” said developer Andy Milia at the Tuesday, Aug. 3 Village Council meeting.

“We first presented the preliminary site plan and PUD last year,” Mr. Milia added.

Council also approved the PUD (Planned Unit Development) agreement with the developer.

He outlined the housing development plan again for the Council; it includes large common areas and small neighborhood parks. Mr. Milia is to provide the village with details about the final location of utilities. In addition, landscape trees are to be placed no more than 45 feet apart. The Village has purchased property adjacent to the development for an industrial park.

Newly elected Council member Chad Lazette questioned the traffic safety of making Ypsilanti a through street, but was assured that it will improve the current situation. Trustee Lazette voted against approving the two agreements, but was the lone negative vote. Trustees Meehling and Niemann were absent.

Mr. Milia said construction in the housing development will begin this year and homebuilding will begin next year.

Council approved the special assessment district necessary to begin the process of paving Roosevelt Street. It is a process of five resolutions; before the plan can be completely approved, a public hearing will be necessary to discuss the special assessment roll, once detailed cost estimates are available.

Village Manager Patrick Burtch said he did not know why the state had stopped working on the M-50 repaving project. He noted that he contacted the state to inform them that the new street had been damaged when the new Pet Supply store’s parking lot was installed.

Paving of First Street was to begin Friday, Aug. 6.

Arby’s is under construction at the US-23 and M-50 intersection. Lonestar Steak House is being framed in; and Tractor Supply is well underway.