Supervisor Highlights Development Services in State of the Township Address

West Bloomfield Township employees are leading the way in numerous projects despite expectations for continued decline in residential property values, Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste said Thursday.

In the supervisor's annual State of the Township address, attended by about 30 people at and broadcast on cable TV as well as online, Ureste spoke of a greater focus toward development services department projects in 2012. In addition, Ureste said, her "dream and vision" of an enhanced downtown area took key steps forward in 2011 and could come to fruition this year.

After an extensive debate throughout last spring and summer concerning approved plans for a limestone, multi-use complex approved to replace the existing restaurant and gas station on the northwest corner of Maple and Orchard Lake roads, an outdoor gathering area and a street clock could be built this year. However, Ureste said, a stalemate with the Road Commission for Oakland County continues as a result of differing priorities over what to do about road construction in the area.

"The township is committed to resolving this stalemate, as it caused the delay of some development projects at Maple and Orchard Lake Road," she said.

Other new business developments highlighted include a planned transformation of into a chop house — the details of which were approved at Tuesday's planning commission meeting. Ureste also discussed the possibilities of a steak house moving into the on Haggerty Road, and an authentic Mexican restaurant moving in a little farther north on Haggerty, just past Maple Road.

Development services was characterized in 2011 by an increase in the number of permits issued, drainage and sump pump complaints addressed, tree inspections for safety and safety path maintenance, Ureste said.

Projects including landscaping at Town Hall and Americans with Disabilities Act-focused modifications on safety paths were accomplishments from the past year, she said.

The department will focus more toward potentially three road special assessments districts and re-evaluating the woodland overlay district in 2012, she said.