The Farmington Hills City Council on Nov. 24 refused a developer’s request to reconsider its Nov. 10 denial of Cluster Site Plan 54‑4‑2025 (Forest at Riverwalk), leaving the previous denial in place.

Planning staff said the applicant submitted revised plans late in the week that add an emergency‑only connection to Parker with a breakaway gate and show a drainage layout with catch basins intended to contain the subdivision’s stormwater. Staff told council the engineering division had preliminary comments and would need approximately two weeks for a detailed review.

The applicant argued the modifications would reduce impacts compared with a zoning‑by‑right alternative that would require 80‑foot lots and a roadway extending through open space. "We have over 40% open space on this plan," the applicant said, adding that grass pavers and a gated emergency connection would prevent through‑traffic while still allowing emergency vehicle access.

Neighbors strongly opposed reopening the matter. Multiple residents testified that the site has a high water table, aging septic systems on adjacent lots, and documented flooding; they said removing hundreds of trees would raise groundwater and that a grassy emergency road through wet ground would not reliably support heavy emergency vehicles. One resident who described frequent sump‑pump activity said the proposal addresses surface runoff but not groundwater that she said already threatens her basement.

After discussion, a councilmember who had voted to deny the plan at the Nov. 10 meeting moved to reconsider; the motion to reconsider failed by roll‑call vote (a majority voted no), keeping the Nov. 10 denial in effect. Council members who opposed reconsideration cited the plan’s proximity to wetlands, the potential for drainage and septic impacts, and the change in neighborhood character the cluster plan would create.

The applicant indicated willingness to work with staff (engineering, planning and fire) to refine drainage and access details and requested time to address department comments; staff said engineering review would take additional time and would be scheduled if council reopens the matter. For now, the developer may pursue other available options under city code.

Next steps: Because the motion to reconsider failed, the denial remains. The developer can resubmit or pursue alternative proposals allowed by zoning.