Baptist Manor plans significant redesign reducing units and increasing setbacks in development

The Farmington Hills City Council convened on March 3, 2025, to discuss significant developments impacting the community, particularly focusing on a revised site plan for a residential project. The meeting highlighted changes aimed at enhancing community amenities and addressing concerns from local residents.

The first major topic was the removal of the Western Basin on the Tabernacle property, which is intended to create a more inviting community atmosphere with expanded amenity spaces. The developers also addressed concerns regarding the proximity of a five-plex unit to Mr. Dunn's residence, opting instead for a single basin to manage stormwater for the entire development. This adjustment is expected to improve the overall layout and reduce visual impact.

Further modifications included a reduction in building scale and an increase in the southern setback to Holly Hill Farms. The revised plan now features three and four-unit configurations, significantly increasing the rear yard setback from the required 35 feet to between 83 and 86 feet, effectively doubling the buffer zone for the southernmost units.

The council reviewed an enlarged site plan, which detailed the primary entrance to the community and a secondary entrance designed to comply with international fire code requirements. Notably, Baptist Manor has agreed to demolish a duplex to facilitate access through a signalized intersection, enhancing traffic flow into the development.

In terms of density, the revised plan reflects a reduction from 76 units to 69 units, resulting in a loss of approximately 25 to 35 rooms, or about 12% of the total room count. This change aims to minimize visual impact and align the development's density with surrounding areas. Comparatively, the new plan yields between 18 and 19 rooms per acre, which is less dense than nearby developments like Glen Oaks.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of these adjustments to foster a more community-oriented environment while addressing the concerns of residents. The council plans to continue monitoring the development's progress and its integration into the broader community framework.