Home Developer in Saline School District Struggles With deadlines

Paul Elkow, owner of the proposed Deer Ridge subdivision in York Township, did not receive much sympathy from the York Township Board at their regular meeting August 11.

He has already sold a few of the homes on the development, on the north side of Judd Road, between Warner and Moon Roads.

“I’ve brought in some students for the Saline School district,” he boasted.

However, he admitted he has not completed the necessary paperwork for the Washtenaw County Road Commission to build a road through the property. He is also tangled up with the drain commission.

Supervisor John Stanowski scolded him because he has not finalized the plans with the WCRC. “It frustrates me,” that this is not finalized, he said.

“Basically you’re in default,” he told Elkow. “Things have to be moved in an orderly fashion.”

Elkow stated the WCRC had not cooperated with him. “We spent a ton of money. We cleared the trees. We’re waiting for the WCRC to get the consent judgment,” he told the board.

“I’m as frustrated as anyone,” Elkow continued. “We didn’t even plant the soybeans on the property because we thought we’d be building this year.”

On top of that, Elkow said, he needed a soil erosion permit.

Stanowski explained that by missing the deadlines, the development is viewed as abandoned. He advised Elkow to go to the township planning commission if he wants another extension.

Another problem for Deer Ridge: since the plans were approved by the planning commission in 2012, the township has started requiring private roads in new subdivisions, so public roads are no longer available.

Besides that, the township now frowns on cul-de-sacs. Deer Ridge has a blueprint with two of them, and may have to re-draw.

The discussion between Elkow and the township board ended on a positive note. “The market is good. In Milan and Saline, the market’s strong,” Elkow commented.

Township board members nodded in agreement, all mentioning the Toyota expansion, which is resulting in more employment in the area.

After the meeting, Stanowski mentioned his optimism that Deer Ridge will eventually become a reality. “I have high expectations they will,” he said.

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