Letter: Is School Administration Property Development Being Rushed?

The following letter was sent by Greg Smith, a Royal Oak resident:

I am writing in regards to the School Administration Building Property that appears to have a go ahead with a condominium development of 36 detached single family homes per the Planning Commission meeting of Feb. 14.
 
I want to start off by saying that the corner definitely needs to be developed and it's exciting to hear about some of the different ideas proposed for the site. However, after watching the planning commission meeting, I feel that this is a rushed project. Great to see the development but what is the hurry?

Many residents expressed concern with traffic in the morning and afternoon during the school year. Yet certain members of Planning Commission tended to not show any interest in the concerns voiced. I have drove my son to Royal Oak High School for the last three years and I use Marais every school day to both drop off and pickup. I can tell you that the traffic is horrible and with parking allowed, it only compounds the congestion. The neighbors have a genuine concern.

I honestly don't know how they manage to get in and out of their street or driveway for that matter. The reigns should be pulled back and four items need to be considered before this or any plan is developed.

1) Consider moving student drop off from Lexington to the first street north of the school, which leads to the north side of the school. Allow traffic from Normandy to drop off on north side of school
 
2) A THOROUGH TRAFFIC STUDY

3) Why is this being rushed through as a condo development? I heard the comment by the builder that there's a six to nine month delay if they would request a standard plot plan for single family home property lots. As a former owner, I can tell you that it's hard to sell a condo for many reasons. The biggest issue is association fees and charges you might not normally have as a regular homeowner.
 
4) When construction begins, is anybody thinking about what's going to happen during the school year with traffic? Look back at point 1 again.
 
Again, I just feel like this is a rushed project to bring tax dollars in. I invite all members of both the Planning Commission and City Commission to park on Marais from 7:30 - 8:15 a.m. and 2:45-3:30 p.m. during school days to get a taste of what the traffic is like.
 
Based on comments by the Mayor and Commissioner Poulton, neither mentioned any concern with the traffic.