MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - At the January 26th Planning Commission meeting, Brett Forsberg of T.A.Forsberg Real Estate Inc. proposed a plan for a residential development on Jolly and Jolly Oak Road.

T.A. Forsberg, out of Okemos, is partnering with Westpac to build a lifestyle development filled with parks, walking trails, tennis courts, etc.

"The goal of our developments here in in Meridian Township is to build more than just a home for our residents, we want to help them create a lifestyle," Forsberg said.

The Okemos Town Center Mixed Use Planned Unit Development Plan allows zoning of both commercial and office use to coincide simultaneously to help benefit the community.

Several of the buildings are already zoned in the area for industrial or commercial use and are more than 40 years old and are in need of renovations or re-purposing. Only about half of the proposed property, 20 out of the 40 acres are currently being used at the site.

A detention pond currently exists on the site, but is being used for other facilities instead, causing for members of the Planning Commission to come out and take a site visit in the upcoming weeks.

With this new development underway, a few concerns have arose including Kansas Street which is used as dumping grounds for neighborhoods. T.A. Forsberg plans to convert this area into a green space, helping to push the Township towards a more
eco-friendly future.

As plans move forward to build this development, the Township is excited to have a world-class community in their own backyard that other cities in the area can imitate.

"All of the buildings in the area look so similar. We're excited to see some new architecture go up especially if it is affordable," said Planning Commissioner Joyce Van Coevering.

The real estate company is looking to target millennials and new families hoping to provide affordable leases starting at around $1,000 per month.

When all is said and done, they are looking to move forward with the construction as soon as possible to better provide a connectivity for residential and commercial residents.

The plan is currently being reviewed by both the Planning Commission and Township Board.