Nik Rajkovic / news@whmi.com

Hartland Township's Planning Commission has given preliminary site plan approval for another major development. This time a project two years in the making on the southwest corner of M-59 and Old U.S. 23.

"This is a proposed mixed use development," Planning Director Troy Langer said last week. "It contains commercial along M-59, as well as commercial along Old U.S. 23. More in the center, is an apartment complex. This is 168 units. There are five buildings for the apartments, and an additional building for the club house."

Scores of residents already raised concerns about traffic congestion before the township gave preliminary approval for Chick-Fil-A on M-59, east of the U.S. 23 highway. Developers of "Square One" insist they've heard similar concerns, and believe they've addressed them as best they can.

"We've had some discussions with MDOT about a traffic signal at Square One, directly right across the street from Target. It makes a lot of sense in our opinion, but we don't have any commitment yet," said Jack Knowles of M-59 Property Ventures.

"We're lobbying hard. We're trying to gather support. It remains to be seen. There has been pushback from MDOT, but we're still working at it."

Knowles did note the proposal includes a pass through for parents picking up and dropping off at the adjacent Charyl Stockwell Academy.

"Certainly, the additional outlets for Charly Stockwell, and to a lesser degree the LaFontaine property, provides other outlets other than having to use that existing driveway and having to deal with M-59, particularly if you're going left."

The preliminary site plan now goes to the full Hartland Township Board of Trustees for approval.

See the planning commission's agenda packet attached below, or link on video of its meeting.