On Monday the Marshall County Commissioners conducted the second reading of an ordinance for a Planned Unit Development that creates 33 shipping container homes at 3919 North Michigan Road in Plymouth.
During the public hearing on August 7th Plan Director Ty Adley explained that the existing trailer park would be developed into a gated, upscale residential development. The 33 homes would be made from shipping containers and the development will have a brick road surface with 2 driving lanes along with sidewalks on each side. A new water line will be laid under the roadway with fire hydrants and the development will also have a community building at the rear of the property.
The PUD came to the County Commissioners with a split vote of 5 to 3 as a favorable recommendation. There were also several conditions attached to the recommendation.
The county commissioners approved the first reading of the ordinance creating a Planned Unit Development for the Michigan Road property now owned by Thomas Landgrebe. Commissioner Stan Klotz warned that he still had concerns but wouldn’t stop the development at that August 7th meeting.
During this week’s meeting, Mr. Landgrebe explained that he will not allow third-party sales because you lose control of vetting who is living in the development and the former mobile home park is a prime example. He explained that this development would be more like a condominium. When the sale of a home is requested, the structure would be sold back to Adventura and they would re-vett the new owners and the exchange would be a sales contract done through attorneys instead of a real estate agent.
Landgreve said the plan he has in place has the correct zoning and the correct engineering with the infrastructure. He said it would be a deed-restricted community which would keep the development from spooling out of control in the years to come. This residential development will offer a safe and secure place to live without maintenance.
Commissioner Klotz said one of his concerns is the septic. He said while you’ve told us the state has said the septic is okay, we have no proof of it. Klotz said, “The plan commission can only look at the usage, but we can look at the whole project. I just got to be honest with you. I’ve got concerns from a business standpoint of how all this works out for people, for the public.” The commissioner said, “I’m just not convinced this is the way to go.” He continued, “I just don’t believe it is a viable option.” Klotz questioned having only an option to sell the home back to the company.
Commissioner Michael Burroughs made a motion to approve the second reading of the ordinance, but Commission President Stan Klotz did not second the motion, so it died for a lack of a second.
County Attorney James Clevenger told the commissioners and Mr. Landgrebe that if the Commissioners don’t pass the PUD ordinance within 90 days of the referral from the plan commission to the commissioners, then it would become approved.
