The city wants to annex 80 acres from neighboring Bloomfield Township. The property would have 15-story office, hotel and apartment buildings, a large movie theater, as well as other commercial uses built on the site.
However, the township does not want to give up the land.
David Payne, supervisor of Bloomfield Township, says the annexationproceeding initiated by the developer is a blatant attempt at circumventing established zoning ordinances with the goal of destroying the overall character and integrity of the township.
"We will fight it vigorously in all available forms," he says.
The township filed a lawsuit against the county for approving the annexation vote.
Bloomfield Park was formally proposed to the township nearly two years ago. The development is composed of retail, office, residential and recreational facilities.
Bloomfield Township does not have a multi-use ordinance in their zoninglaws. After working diligently with the township officials, the developer was unable to reach an agreement that would allow the development to be built and be successful.
The property is located nearly one mile north of Square Lake Road, just east of Telegraph Road, bordering Pontiac on the north and east sides. It is in the Pontiac School District.
"We have been well aware of the Bloomfield Park development for more than two years," says Pontiac Mayor Walter Moore. "Our engineers and consultants have been working with Bloomfield Park developer, The Harbor Companies, to discuss the availability of utilizing our water and sewage capabilities because Bloomfield Township was concerned that they would not be able to handle the load. Pontiac has excess capacity and would be able to handle it."
Because, the property is located in the Pontiac School District, thedevelopment would add a significant amount of revenue to our school system, Moore says.
"The importance to Pontiac for this development to move forward cannot be underestimated. That is why we have decided to ask our citizens to support annexation and bring this abundance of jobs, revenue and opportunity to Pontiac and the region," Moore adds.
"The proposed development will provide an exceptional combination of commercial, residential, entertainment features, and offers a quality of life unavailable in the surrounding area," says Charlie J. Harrison, III, president of the city council.
"We are very pleased to be working with the city of Pontiac on theBloomfield Park project," says Craig Schubiner, developer of BloomfieldPark. "We will work closely with the city's contract compliance department to ensure that Pontiac vendors and contractors helpbuild this development."
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