PLYMOUTH — A vacant site in the city could be redeveloped into a new housing project with 87 apartments and townhomes.
The Plymouth Planning Commission will hold a concept-only review of the project at its April 8 meeting, but no decisions are expected.
According to city documents, the meeting will give commissioners a chance to provide the developer with feedback before a formal site plan is submitted.
Submitted by the Detroit-based Walters Group, the plan calls for redevelopment of two adjacent properties — 639 S. Mill St. and 166 E. Ann Arbor Trail — totaling about 3 acres.
According to city documents, the project as proposed would include a three-story, 81-unit apartment building with a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floorplans, along with two smaller townhouse-style buildings with three three-bedroom units each.
The larger South Mill parcel is currently occupied by the former Lumber Mart building, which has been vacant since the early 2010s.
The Ann Arbor Trail site is undeveloped. Under the proposal, all existing structures would be demolished to make way for new construction.
Plans also include several public-facing elements, such as a train viewing platform, designated public parking, outdoor gathering spaces and improved pedestrian connections through the area, documents say.
The property is currently zoned as a planned unit development, or PUD.
It’s not the first proposal for the property. In 2019, the Plymouth City Commission approved a mixed-use development of residential units and retail space, but that plan expired after the developer failed to move forward with plans.
In 2023, city officials hoped to purchase the property as part of a parks millage proposal that envisioned athletic fields and recreation space, but the measure was rejected by voters.
The new proposal again seeks the PUD designation, which allows flexibility from traditional zoning requirements in exchange for demonstrated public benefits and design considerations.
The process is often used to encourage redevelopment of challenging or underutilized sites.
According to its website, Walters Group is an owner, developer, investor, and strategic consultant of commercial real estate throughout Michigan and beyond.
“Walters Group was established in 2020 with a mission to lead and support projects that contribute to the richness of the communities in which they are located,” the website says. “Our properties are built and maintained with the intention to uplift the urban fabric while also serving the needs of our like-minded tenants and investors, and to provide elevated experiences for all involved.”
At the April 8 meeting, commissioners will evaluate the project against nine required standards, including impacts on public services and infrastructure, compatibility with surrounding zoning, environmental considerations and alignment with the city’s master plan.
The future land use map designates the area for multi-family residential uses, though the proposed density and building heights exceed some of those guidelines, city documents say.
Feedback from the commission is expected to guide a future preliminary site plan submission, which would include a public hearing and additional rounds of review before any approvals are granted.
If the project moves forward, final approval would require a recommendation from the planning commission and action by the Plymouth City Commission.
Contact reporter Laura Colvin: lcolvin@hometownlife.com
This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Plymouth could get 87 new apartments. What’s being proposed
Reporting by Laura Colvin, Hometownlife.com / Hometownlife.com
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