Comments on: New Plan Proposed for County Infrastructure

By: Murph

Murph — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:03:06 +0000

Just for the sake of pedantry, the Head Start building has an Ypsilanti mailing address, but is located in Superior Charter Township.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:27:10 +0000

Yes, ok, there is a driveway. What I meant to indicate was that if a development is placed on the former juvenile center property, a pedestrian access to the park should be maintained. There is quite a broad sweep of frontage there.

I don’t have a specific plan, I was only trying to point out that a plan is needed.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 02:50:07 +0000

Hmmm... I'm not seeing what you're seeing. I'm seeing this (hope that works, this linking to Google Maps business is unpredictable).

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 22:48:47 +0000

I meant mid-block from Platt.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 22:08:30 +0000

There’s already access to County Farm Park from Platt, no? I’m assuming they’re not talking about selling the existing Parks and Rec. facilities there.

Also, since Summers-Knoll is also going to be right across Platt, that crossing is going to be getting some more use very soon.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:59:36 +0000

Now that I’ve had a chance to look at a map, it occurs to me that the county, when putting the property up for sale, could insert a permanent easement into the deed (similar to a right-of-way easement or conservation easement) that guarantees access to County Farm Park from Platt Road. Assuming that the property might likely be at least in part developed as housing, that would be an important feature for residents and also for other individuals visiting the area. But such an easement might be best decided in conjunction with a proposed site plan.

Given that Arbor Hills Crossing has been approved across the street, this seems an excellent opportunity for collaboration between the county and city in constructing an area plan.

By: Mary Morgan

Mary Morgan — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:11:47 +0000

Re. "It’d be interesting to know what a commercial realtor thought of the Platt Rd. property’s value and prospects, and how the County Parks Dept. has typically funded land purchases." According to county parks & rec director Bob Tetens, the Platt Road property has an estimated value of over $1 million. He indicated that acquiring the property isn't in the county's plans, given that they already own 125 acres of parkland at that site (County Farm Park) and that there are other parts of the county with far less parkland that would be given priority. The county parks are funded through two countywide millages: (1) a 10-year tax for the natural areas preservation program (NAPP) that was first approved by voters in 2000 and renewed in 2010 at 0.2409 mills, and (2) a 10-year, 0.2367-mill tax for park development and maintenance that was renewed by voters in 2008.

By: Mary Morgan

Mary Morgan — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:12:37 +0000

Re. "Are these [WCHO] services provided in such a way that the clients never have to visit the office?" The WCHO contracts with the county's Community Support and Treatment Services (CSTS) unit to provide mental health services at a variety of locations. It's the administrative offices of WCHO that will be relocating.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:23:08 +0000

The disposition of the Platt Road property will be controversial, but this is one time that I’m in favor of development. The city and county both would be benefited by returning this property to the tax rolls and the area could support more housing. Meanwhile, the county is desperately in need of cash.

For years the discussion was around using this site for affordable (i.e., subsidized) housing. That would also require a proposal from a developer and action by the Urban County, I assume.

Perhaps the county parks commission could consider acquiring a portion of the property, adjacent to particular amenities and guaranteeing access to County Farm Park from Platt Road. That would entail a cash payment to the county general fund and would have to take the other priorities of the county park plan into account.

For any use, the property will have to be rezoned, unless it remains public land. Perhaps some attention to the master plan for the area is due. It looks to me as though the city planning function needs to be called into play. The county no longer has one.

By: Jim Rees

Jim Rees — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:24:22 +0000

Washtenaw Community Health Organization services are provided to “individuals with developmental disabilities and/or serious mental illness” and are “available to residents of the community who have Medicaid or are uninsured,” according to their web site. Most people in this category won’t be able to get to the Zeeb Road office. Are these services provided in such a way that the clients never have to visit the office?