• Rendering of Hamilton Road and sidewalk.

OKEMOS - After a public hearing on July 7th, Director of Community Planning and Development Tim Schmitt had decisions to make.

The Village of Okemos, Custom Built, Hudson Senior Living and Newton Pointe all submitted minor amendments for Schmitt to approve.

For the Village of Okemos project, Schmitt partially approved the amendments, which included:
- A 32.1% reduction of total square footage of buildings.
- The removal of parking structures from the project.

The items he did not approve were: The delaying of construction for buildings along Okemos Road to a later construction phase and the conversion of space along Hamilton Road from commercial to residential.

Schmitt said the developers have three options:
- They can appeal the decision to the Township Board with valid reasons.
- They can request a major amendment for the denied items for the Township Board's approval.
- They can revert back to the original plan approved by the Township Board.

There is another option for the project, however Schmitt said he does not believe it will come to this.

"They could pull out," Schmitt said. "But I've received no indication they will pull out of the agreement."

The director also approved Custom Built's amendment for a deck expansion, as well as Hudson Senior Living for a reconfiguration of the first floor. Newton Pointe was approved in part for changes in the main building.

Overall, the Village of Okemos project will still include the items according to Schmitt:
- Buildings along Okemos Road that are four stories tall with nonresidential or residential on the first floor.
- Buildings along Hamilton Road that are four stories tall with nonresidential space on the first floor.
- Buildings along Ardmore Avenue that are four stories tall, possibly with parking.
-Streetscape enhancements along Hamilton Road.
- A transit stop on Okemos Road.
- A total of 32,860 square feet of nonresidential space.
- Parking structures are not required.

The next step in the Village of Okemos project is for the developers to submit revised plans.