Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


The Genoa Township Board met Monday night and discussed some items related to development of the Latson Road area.

The request for a zoning map amendment involves a parcel totaling 7.44-acres on the east side of Latson Road, between Beck Road and the CSX rail line.

The developer, Todd Wyett, is looking to rezone the property from country estates to interchange commercial planned unit development to accommodate a new gas station and multi-tenant building. The property is part of a larger Latson Road PUD.

The township Planning Commission and the Livingston County Planning Department recommended denial of the proposed rezoning for the 7.44-acres. Both are only recommending bodies - the board has the final say.

A handful of residents spoke during call to the public in opposition of the request, as well as overall urban development of the area. Members of the neighborhood group "Coalition to Stop the Latson PUD" were also represented.

Separately, the township has sought a legal opinion from an outside firm on the whether the initial PUD approval for 193-acres is expired or not, which would expand development south toward Crooked Lake Road. The township has argued it is valid, while the Coalition maintains it is expired.

An application for a 138-acre expansion for high-tech industrial and commercial was earlier withdrawn and developers put forth some changes last year. They have maintained requests are consistent with the township’s master plan, which calls for commercial etc. in the area.

The proposed ordinance for the rezoning was just introduced Monday night. Formal discussion and action are expected at the March 3rd board meeting.

Meanwhile, the board is also proceeding with a proposal to update the Township Master Plan. That process will include expanded community engagement and outreach once underway, per the board’s desire. It was originally targeted to be a special study of the South Latson Road area, but the board decided to expand the scope.