CANTON TWP. — The future of a proposed Topgolf entertainment complex near Interstate 275 and Ford Road is in question following a Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)’s decision to deny a critical wetlands permit.
The denial, issued Feb. 19, cites significant environmental concerns and the applicant’s failure to meet federal and state regulations.
The proposed project includes a Topgolf facility, parking and two fast-food restaurants.
However, EGLE said the development plan would have permanently impacted more than seven acres of forested and scrub-shrub wetlands within the Rouge River Watershed.
In the letter denying the permit, EGLE outlined several reasons for the rejection, including:
The EPA’s objection, received on Dec. 10, triggered a 90-day window for the developers to respond. However, EGLE indicated that no response had been submitted.
Developer Steve Robinson, vice president of acquisitions and development for Broder Sachse Real Estate, did not immediately return a request for comment.
Canton Township Planner Patrick Sloan said the township is waiting on the developers to make a move.
“At this point, I think it’s too early to know how they’ll be proceeding,” Sloan said. “According to the letter, they have a right to appeal and they have a right to submit a revised application to EGLE. So, I’m not yet sure if the applicant will choose to do either.”
If the developers do not appeal or submit a revised application, the denial could effectively halt the project—at least in its current form. Sloan noted that developers could explore alternative designs to avoid impacting wetlands.
“If they decide not to appeal, they’ll have to decide how they proceed—whether they amend the project to develop only in the non-wetland areas or submit a new application to develop a different portion of the site,” he said.
One potential option could be limiting development to the Ford Road frontage, where the Chick-fil-A and a Portillo’s fast food restaurants are planned, he said, noting the Topgolf portion faces greater challenges due to its reliance on wetland areas for both the facility itself and the access roads.
“The wetland permit application was pretty important to the Topgolf development because the access that came from Ford Road to the north part of that site would’ve crossed wetlands,” Sloan said. “That makes the Topgolf portion a lot more challenging.”
Administratively, Sloan said the project’s review by the Canton Township Board is on hold.
“Even without this EGLE letter, we don’t yet have the revised materials needed to go forward to the township board,” he said. “In light of the letter, the application wouldn’t be ready to go to the board because there’s new information that changes the project.”
Among the materials still outstanding are revisions to the planned development agreement, easement details, and updated plan sheets.
Sally Petrella, a watershed ecologist with Friends of the Rouge, said the organization “applauds” EGLE’s denial of the Top Golf Facility permit application.
“The proposed facility would destroy 7.12 acres of forested and scrub shrub wetland in a county that has already lost 90% of its original wetlands,” Petrella said. “Wetlands provide essential ecosystem services including flood mitigation, water filtration, and biodiversity support. The facility does not need to be located in a wetland and there are plenty of suitable alternative sites.
“We join the Detroit Bird Alliance, the Michigan Land Conservancy and the Wayne County Conservation District in applauding EGLE for standing up for some of our last remaining wetlands,” she added.
Top Canton, LLC has 60 days from the date of the denial to file an appeal to EGLE’s decision. Alternatively, the developers could choose to submit a new application addressing EGLE’s concerns.
Contact reporter Laura Colvin at lcolvin@hometownlife.com
