Rochester Hills to consider developments

Three developers hoping to break ground on new projects in Rochester Hills went before the city's planning commission on Tuesday, November 21, with concept plans, including a planned unit development project for a 16-unit condominium development.

Developers Mark Gesuale and Jim Polyzois are proposing a 16-unit, ranch-style condominium development on a 4.44-acre planned unit development (PUD) on the east side of John R, south of School Road. The proposed condos would range from about 1,845 to 1,997 square feet in size, with a preliminary price point of about $370,000. The project includes a proposed community garden as part of the residential common space.

A PUD is a building development tool and regulatory process by a municipality. As a building development, it is designed to group varied and compatible land uses, such as residential, recreation and commercial, within one contained development or subdivision. For a municipality, a PUD acts as a means of land regulation to help control both land uses and building types.

The concept plan was a chance for the developer to show the location of the proposed site improvements, buildings, utilities and landscaping that represent the overall layout of the development, as well as a public hearing.

In addition, planning commissioners heard from two other developers regarding potential developments. Pulte Townhomes is exploring a possible PUD development with 56 attached units on about eight acres of land near Walton and Brewster. No formal plan on the project have been submitted to the city.

The city also has been in discussion with the owners of vacant property at the northwest corner of Rochester Road and South Boulevard, where a potential four-story hotel would be built, as well as a two-story, 29,000-square foot, mixed-use building that would house retail, office and restaurant uses. A conceptual plan was discussed, with formal plans coming at a later date.