CANTON TWP. — Plans are moving forward for a Topgolf facility and two fast food restaurants on the township’s east side, but planners remain concerned about projections of increased traffic when the new businesses open.
The Canton Township Planning Commission voted unanimously Sept. 9 to postpone final approval of the plan until the developer submits updated traffic information and other materials.
In addition to the golf driving range and recreational facility, the proposal includes a Chick-fil-A and a Portillo’s on a 55-acre site bordered by Warren Road and Ford Road to the north and south, and Interstate 275 and Lotz Road to the west and east.
A traffic impact study shows that without mitigation, the development will prolong the time drivers are stuck in traffic.
“There’s a pretty big difference…showing that the development is going to cause additional delay at the intersection of Ford and Lotz as well as in other areas,” Township Planner Patrick Sloan said, noting a previous traffic study indicated movement at the intersection, as well as at Warren and Haggerty roads, would be more efficient with optimization of signal timing, pedestrian push buttons and other improvements.
Because the current development plan does not include mitigation or a plan to address issues outlined in the traffic study, he said, the township’s planning department recommended postponement of final approval.
Planning commissioners agreed, also citing concerns over plans limiting the development to the existing driveway at Ford Road. The proposal includes reconstructing and widening the driveway to four lanes and adding a traffic signal at Ford Road.
Other proposed improvements on Ford Road include the addition of a westbound deceleration right-turn lane at the site drive and conversion of the center lane west of the site drive to a left-turn lane into the site.
“I’m very excited about the prospect of bringing Topgolf… to our community, but…I am concerned about the traffic on Ford Road,” Commissioner Sommer Foster said. “So I hope that you’re able to work out those issues.”
Developer Steve Robinson, vice president of acquisitions and development for Broder Sachse Real Estate, said his team has been working closely with the Michigan Department of Transportation on plans for the road improvements.
Robinson also noted changes to the plan, including elimination of a four-story hotel, scrapped after a wetland review by the EPA. The Topgolf location was also moved south on the site after meetings with EGLE.
Other changes to the plan include a reduction in size for the Portillo’s eating area, from 4,080 square feet to 2,477 square feet.
The project is also now proposed in two phases, with the first phase slated to include the southern part of the site with the two fast food drive-thru restaurants. The golf driving range and recreation facility on the northern part of the site will be built in a second phase.
In addition to updated traffic information, approval of the plan was postponed so the developer can submit a revised Planned Development District Agreement (PDD), revised master deed and bylaws and other required documents.
Sloan said the township’s planning department staff will continue working with the developer and bring the project back to a future meeting for additional discussion and potential approval.
Contact reporter Laura Colvin at lcolvin@hometownlife.com.
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