A once-popular country club and golf course is one step closer to being a multi-use residential, commercial and recreational development.
Residents filled the St. Joseph Charter Township township hall Monday to participate in a public hearing about the proposed development of as the former Berrien Hills golf club property along the St. Joseph River.
After all residents were allowed their time to speak, the St. Joseph Township Planning Commission approved a plan for developers with Southwest Michigan Coastal Ventures to transform the property into a Planned Unit Development featuring a variety of homes and apartments, as well as nature areas and commercial businesses for public use.
With the planning commission’s approval, the plans will now be sent to the St. Joseph Charter Township Board of Trustees for final approval. The next regular meeting of the board is Nov. 7 at 6 p.m.
The proposed development plans, which were presented at the start of the public hearing by developers, include single-family houses, townhouses, row houses, apartments, senior villas and an extended-stay hotel. Additional proposed features on the 100-acre property include a brewpub, restaurant, event venue, fitness center, rain gardens, outdoor recreation areas, trails and a lake.
Developers said during the hearing that many amenities, including businesses, the lake and trails, would be open for public use.
Many residents expressed their opinions with the proposed development, with concerns ranging from traffic issues to construction noise and habitat protection for a bald eagle’s nest. While there were many concerns raised, several residents spoke out in favor of the developers’ ideas to preserve much of the wetlands, as well as the additional housing and tax dollars the project will bring in.
Stay tuned to WSJM for additional details and quotes from Tuesday’s meeting.
