Politics & Government

Letter: No to Rezoning for 'Ultra-Modern' Apartment Building

Dear Editor:

I am writing this letter in an effort to alert the people of the City of Troy about the proposed rezoning of a 1.2 acre parcel of land at the northwest corner of Livernois and Town Center Drive.  Currently that corner is occupied by dentist and ophthalmology offices and a physical therapy facility.  Both buildings are single story brick and reflect architecture that blends well with other structures immediately surrounding them, both office and residential.  On the southwest corner at that intersection is land with a pavilion and picnic tables available to residents who would like to host a large family reunion, office party, birthday party and other large gathering occasions. 

Currently this parcel is zoned for office.  The proposed zoning that has been recommended by the Troy Planning Commission is Big Beaver District.  The applicant is Amber Properties, a company specializing in apartment units.  The owner, Jerry Amber, is represented by the law firm of Plunkett Cooney in the application process.  Amber Properties is requesting rezoning in order to construct a 5-story, 60 unit urban-style loft, townhouse, and studio apartment building including parking.

Find out what's happening in Troywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The argument for rezoning states that Amber Properties’ ultra-modern, 5-story design fits in with Troy’s Master Plan for the Big Beaver Road corridor which promotes flexibility with land use relationships, and vertically integrated mixed-use commercial, office and residential towers.  However, that is only one goal of the Master Plan.  Everything else that accompanies the construction of a 5-story apartment building on that corner is contrary to the Master Plan and adverse to the buildings and homes that surround it. 

There are many concerns with this proposed rezoning application but the most immediate is the re-zoning to Big Beaver District without requiring the application to include conditional rezoning.  Without the conditional rezoning, the apartment building could fail and be demolished and allow for ANYTHING that could be constructed on the Big Beaver corridor to be built on that corner including a restaurant, a gas station, or other retail space.  It would not have to be office or residential. 

Find out what's happening in Troywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Other concerns include but are not limited to:

  • Livernois has not been developed commercially like Big Beaver and given the lack of property available for future development, it cannot become a corridor like Big Beaver.  To construct just one high rise building creates an eyesore aesthetically.  If one looks north of Big Beaver on Livernois, there are NO high rise buildings of any kind and such a building as a 5-story apartment building conflicts with the suburban, residential character of North Troy, not just Livernois.  This proposed building would have an adverse effect on property values for the surrounding residential real estate.
  • The construction of a 60 unit apartment building will result in increased traffic at the intersections of Big Beaver and Livernois and Town Center Drive and Livernois. 
  • Assuming residential use of that parcel is appropriate, an apartment building attracts transient residents.  High-end brownstones or condominiums attract owner-residents who contribute individually to the property tax revenue base which results in a vested interest in our community in a way that renters never will.
  • In looking at other Amber Properties in Royal Oak, Troy, Clawson, and Berkley one is struck by the lack of curb appeal that exists with these structures.  In checking Yelp and Google apartment reviews, Amber Properties score alarmingly low with their tenants.

The construction of a 5 story ultra-modern, 60 unit apartment building on the northwest corner of Livernois and Town Center Drive does not add any benefit to the City or surrounding area.  It only serves to detract from the area’s natural beauty and create the opportunity for future problems.  I urge all residents to please take the time to let City Council know that Troy needs to be thoughtful and deliberate as we work together to build a city headed in a forward direction.  The goal cannot be to just fill empty space with whatever is interested in occupying it.  I hope our city council members keep the bigger picture in mind when they vote on this proposed rezoning and don’t lose sight of the forest for the trees.

Respectfully, 

Karen J. Collingsworth-Crusse, Esq.

Westwood Park

At its Jan. 14 meeting, the Planning Commission recommended to the City Council that the rezoning request be approved, by a 6-3 vote. What's your take on the situation?


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here