COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The City of Coldwater Planning Commission approved a conditional rezoning of nine-and-a-quarter acres of land on Monday night that used to be the site of the former Fremont School building.
The vote was 9-0 in favor of the request.
MVAH Partners of Butler County, Ohio and Coldwater Community Schools sought the conditional rezoning from A-1 One Family Residential to A-3 Multi Family Residential.
A previous proposed 70 unit housing development from NRP Properties was scrapped after their plans sparked a heated controversy a couple of years ago.
During public comments, four nearby property owners who were against the NRP proposal seemed to be receptive to the plans from MVAH.
But Dan Corwin said Coldwater Community School officials misled neighborhood residents who wanted to convert the property into a nature park and give it to the city. Corwin said the school district negotiated in less than good faith for saying all along the property was not for sale.
City Planner Dean Walrack says in his report that MVAH has a purchase option on the site and authorization from the property owner to seek this rezoning.
Among the conditions was that construction would have to start by June 30th, 2021.
The rezoning request is contingent on the awarding of MSHDA tax credits. MVAH says in their presentation that the proposed development will include up to 48 senior independent living units restricted to those 55 years old and over. The units will include a mix of one and two bedroom ranch villas. The development will also include a clubhouse with on site management, a community room, fitness center and outdoor recreation space.
