Site plan for Mulberry Square condos approved

By Dana Casadei

The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees approved the site plan for the Mulberry Square Condo Association at their meeting on Monday, September 28. 

The condo project at 225 E. Square Lake Road was given the go-ahead to demolish the landscape areas currently in the parking lot and some existing carports, construct additional carports in the existing parking lots, demo and repave the parking lot with an upgraded stormwater system on the property.

The landscaped areas being removed will be replaced with additional walls to screen the parking lot and new carports, as well as filling in the current gaps along the road side of the property. With the removal of some of the carports at the north end of the property, it’s likely that this will improve circulation through that part of the property and make sure that all other carport locations are consistent with the existing carports.

“This is going to make a great difference,” said supervisor Mike McCready.

Regarding the actual carports, the design will be more simplified from what’s there now and will include a sloped roof.  

“This will work better for the long distances that they are intending to run them consistently down the sides of the property,” said Chris Fox, deputy director of planning, building and ordinance.

A few trees will need to be removed that are along the roadway that will interfere with the new retaining wall. The condo association has plans for additional plantings along the outside of the wall to further screen the carports from view.

This project will be done in phases so it doesn’t disrupt residents' ability to park. 

In August, the planning commission gave their recommendation on the project, and all went smoothly when the site plan went before the zoning board of appeals. 

“It looks great, and is certainly an improvement,” said Neal Barnet in August. “I’m also glad to see that you’re enhancing the landscape… that entire site will be more user friendly and more attractive.”

The board voted 6-0 in favor of the site plan moving forward. Treasurer Michael Schostak was absent from the Monday night meeting.