Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Public hearings are planned regarding revised plans for the Latson Road area in Genoa Township.

The Planning Commission has scheduled a special meeting on Tuesday, September 17th to consider two requests from property owner Todd Wyett related to development along Latson Road, south of Beck Road.

The first request is for an amendment to the existing Innovation Interchange - Latson Road Interchange Campus Planned Unit Development (PUD). That includes removal of the 5.74-acre property between the rail line and Beck Road for inclusion in a new PUD (see proposal 2); revisions to the 10.46-acre property on the east side of Latson Road, to eliminate the commercial uses (gas station/hotel) and allow for business park uses; and revisions to the host of permissible uses throughout the PUD, including prohibited uses; and other corresponding amendments to the PUD Agreement.

The second request is for a Rezoning, PUD Agreement, Impact Assessment and Conceptual PUD Plan to establish a new Latson Road/I-96 Interchange Commercial PUD. That involves rezoning from Country Estates to Interchange Commercial for 13.18 acres of undeveloped land located east of Latson Road between Beck Road and the rail line. Of note - 5.74 acres of the subject area is already zoned ICPUD as part of the Innovation Interchange PUD but is being transferred into this newly proposed PUD via the amendment to the original PUD (proposal 1). The request also includes commercial development proposed uses for office, recreation, gas station, banks, hotels, retail, service, restaurants, etc.

An initial rezoning involving 193 acres near the Latson Road interchange was approved in 2020 from Country Estates to Interchange Campus and Interchange Commercial. Plans for a rezoning for a high-tech industrial and commercial development were later presented in late 2023.

Following packed meetings and the Planning Commission’s recommendation for denial, the applicant for the proposed expansion project, developer Todd Wyett, withdrew the application.

The neighborhood group "Coalition to Stop the Latson PUD" filed a lawsuit over the matter, alleging previously approved portions of the plans should start over from scratch – which the township denied. It maintained the PUD agreement was not expired. Court records show that lawsuit was dismissed by the plaintiff on October 30th of last year.

Coalition members and other residents have voiced various concerns at meetings, citing a desire to preserve the rural and natural character of the township. Concerns have included traffic, speed, increased commuter traffic and gridlock, strain on public safety and existing infrastructure, decreased property values, noise, light pollution, general congestion, and various environmental impacts.

The township website states “the area south of I-96 has been master planned as “Interchange Commercial” and “Campus Interchange,” which provides an ideal opportunity for a variety of commercial and large-scale uses. The commercial portion will provide high quality architecture, walkable features and an interchange where travelers will seek shopping, eating and entertainment. The “Campus Interchange” area will provide a campus-like setting, ideal for large-scale users supporting a medical center, indoor sports arena, research and development space, educational centers, or offices.”

The upcoming Planning Commission meeting will take place at the Brighton Center for the Performing Arts at Brighton High School at 6:30pm. It was moved to a larger venue to accommodate anticipated increased citizen participation.