Cumberland Village receives preliminary okay

Preliminary plans for a 57-unit single-family condominium project on the east side of Livernois, just north of M-59, was recommended for approval on Monday, June 4, by Rochester Hills City Council.

The project, Cumberland Village, is being proposed by Shelby Township developer Lombardo Homes, which hopes to build on 23 acres of land on Livernois, between Hamlin and M-59.

Lombardo in August of last year met with neighbors at the Rochester Hills Library to discuss the proposed development.

Existing homes at the project site have already been razed. New homes would vary in price and style, from ranches and colonials ranging from 2,200 to 3,800 square-feet, with pricing beginning about $380,000.

City councilwoman Susan Bowyer expressed concerns about a lack of open space in the proposed project.

"Lombardo does a great job with their developments," Bowyer said. "To see this without some open spaces – it's one of the amenities you see in all the newer developments – so to see that without it in Rochester Hills tells me we are moving in the wrong direction."

Bowyer said an open space area, such as passive park, would provide a communal meeting area for residents to gather for events or for children to play. She likened the lack of such an open space as a step backwards in planning.

Councilwoman Stephanie Morita, who also serves on the city's planning commission, said the commission was split on the decision whether to approve the plans without such an open space, but decided to approve the preliminary plans due to the relatively small size of the development.

The preliminary site plan was approved 5-1, with Bowyer opposing and councilman Dale Hetrick absent.

The preliminary plan process allows the developer to propose uses, layout of streets and lots, provide an environmental impact statement and present current site conditions. The second phase requires the development of final site plans based on the approved preliminary plans.

The project will still require a final site plan approval from the planning commission at a later date.