Enclave home development sparks debate

By Dana Casadei

Bloomfield Township residents had a lot to say about the upcoming Enclave residential development in conjunction with Temple Beth El, as did the board of trustees, who weren’t in full agreement even at the end at their board meeting on Monday, December 8.

Even without a unanimous vote though the site plan passed 4-3 for the Enclave development, with supervisor Mike McCready and trustee Neal Barnett both being outspoken proponents for the development. 

“It’s a piece of property that’s been empty as long as I've been here,” Barnett said. “The park commission isn’t interested in it. The developers have listened to you, we have listened to you, and there’s been some compromise. I think it’s important that we do something that’s beneficial to the community and the temple.”

While they were both in favor, a few others trustees were not.

Trustees Valerie Murray and Mark Antakli voted no on approving the lot split, amended site plan, and site plan approval. Clerk Martin Brooke was in favor of the first two motions but voted with Murray and Antakli when it came to final site plan approval. 

“We did listen to everyone here and I appreciate what everyone said. I do think this is a good development for what’s been proposed in the past,” McCready said. “We should welcome good quality developers, like Robertson Brothers Homes, and I think this is good for our community.” 

The 35 units will be single-story homes with two-car garages that are at least 1,450 square feet and the developers, Robertson Brothers Homes, will be selling one plan to buyers interested in buying.

“There’s really a need in your community for this kind of housing,” said Tim Loughrin with Robertson Brothers Homes. “This has really been an evolution from all the meetings we’ve had over time.”

“This was hardly rushed. It’s gone through a public process that’s lasted six months,” said treasurer Michael Schostak.

Robertson Brothers Homes have been waiting for this final site plan approval for over a year. They originally submitted a site plan application in October 2024 for a one-family residential clustering option for 38 single family dwelling units, in conjunction with Temple Beth El’s revised site plan that included a request to convey 4.23 acres from the temple property to the vacant properties immediately north of the temple. This plan would allow for the Enclave single family residential development to be just under 13 acres, and remove a few existing sports courts.

Site improvements included a new detention pond, frontage landscaping, decorative walls, signage, a gate, and new roads within Enclave development. 

Between discussion with homeowners and various Bloomfield Township boards Robertson Brothers Homes met with. there were adjustments made to the original site plan almost immediately. The first round of changes included an increase from 10-12 foot evergreen plantings to a minimum planting height of 14 feet; an increased berm height along Telegraph Road to increase from 5 feet to 8 feet; three fewer units so it would total 35 instead of 38; and an increased building separation on lots one through 18 to include a 20-foot building separation instead of the original proposed 14 feet.

Access to the residential development will be provided via a new road, Silverleaf Trail, that will give those coming and going access via Telegraph Road. This was one of a few items that Murray had issues with in the site plan. 

She spoke about concern for how having only one entrance would cause congestion, especially in such a closed environment for seniors with very limited street parking and short driveways.

Loughrin mentioned that the parking was not a variance, but something that is typical within this type of development that is allowed by the fire department. He noted how conscious they were about having a good depth in the driveway — at a minimum some of them will be 23 feet with many going as long as 35 feet — which was one of many adjustments Robertson Brothers Homes has made during this process.

While Brook did not vote in favor of the final site plan, he mentioned before the public comment section began that Robertson Brothers Homes has taken the time to listen and responded to residents. 

“I do hear a lot of people say, represent us and what the township wants, and I think it’s important to note in this instance the petitioner, Robinson Brothers, is a resident,” Brook said. “We’re listening to what residents want on both sides of this. Owners and principals of Robinson Brothers live in the township and their concerns are as legitimate as everyone else’s.”

Nearly 20 people spoke during the public comment section of the evening meeting.

Their comments hit on everything from the number of units, concerns about the loss of green space, and unfair treatment at the September zoning board of appeals (ZBA) meeting, where multiple variances were given for the development. Those variances revolved around front yard setbacks for certain units and side yard setbacks as well.

The variances were a point of contention more than once during the public comment, with many people complaining that they were given too many to complete this project. Some on the board also had issue with it.

“You did a very nice presentation but when you said you did the best you could… no, the best we could is to not have so many variances,” Murray said to applause in the room. “I have a problem with that.”

One person during public comment went the opposite direction about the variances though, and said that the people complaining about the variances would complain about something else if the variances hadn’t been given, and that the board should approve the plan. 

Another area of the site plan that came up multiple times was the sheer number of units, a number that had already decreased by three before it got to the board of trustees. 

“I feel like it’s still not good enough…,” Murray said. “I think it’s still too dense.”

Murray brought up that the density would make parking an issue, especially when people have guests, but others disagreed. 

“I think we’ve gone as far as we’re willing to go as far as the units go. We think this is a good transitional use,” Loughrin said. 

While there were quite a few opposed to this plan — both during the public comments and from the board — there were also some who spoke highly in support of it, especially members of Temple Beth El, who noted that this would provide some much needed protection as compared to the current vacant lots. 

“I live in West Bloomfield, but this is my spiritual home, and I believe we’ve been good neighbors… we want to continue to be good neighbors,” said Steven Tarnowsky, president of Temple Beth El. “I think the plan as proposed is a good one. From our perspective, financially it’s a benefit to us, the vacant land isn’t used; also from a security perspective, I think this will be a huge improvement, and would be an ideal location for our congregation. I fully support this.”

Approval for the lot split and amended site plan ended in a 5-2 vote in favor, and the site plan was approved 4-3.