Quick Hits: Planning Commission Approves Heartland Expansion

Here are highlights from the meeting Tuesday night at :

Heartland to add 44 additional parking spaces

The commission voted 6-0 to approve a site plan and special land-use amendment to install 44 additional parking spaces at The Court at West Bloomfield, a nursing home facility that plans to expand from 120 beds to 140 beds.

The plan was tabled at the after several neighboring residents voiced complaints regarding the noise already produced by trash disposal services employed by The Court's parent company, Heartland, as well as by The Court's staff. The commission asked petitioner Brad Brickel for changes to the application, including that he advise the corporate office to send letters to suppliers and service providers asking them to comply with the township's

The commissioners were impressed by changes made to the application after suppliers and service providers extended notes claiming they will comply with the Heartland's wishes. "You did a very good job at addressing the points we raised. You were very creative," Chair Karmen Santourian said.

West Bloomfield Plaza update

Drivers on Orchard Lake Road between Maple Road and 14 Mile Road have no doubt noticed changes to West Bloomfield Plaza lately, including its name being stripped from the shopping center. Senior planner Sara Roediger provided an update to improvements being made there, including new paint, its roof being replaced with standing seam metal, vinyl siding to be replaced with concrete board and metal grids to be replaced with awnings.

New planning commissioner welcomed

The commission welcomed Mark Miller to his first meeting. Miller replaced Albert Abbo, who resigned in August. Miller, who is Troy's director of economic and community development, will serve a three-year term.