1 June. 2006 | Hometown Life: The Observer & Eccentric Newspapers

Triangle Proposes Changes for Novi's Downtown Project

By Pam Fleming, Staff Writer

John Jackson of Northville's McKenna & Associates says the MainStreet Novi project is moving along nicely.

"I want to thank the city for its cooperation," Jackson said at the May 22 Novi City Council meeting. "I think we're in a good position right now."

The approximately $220-million project to be constructed by Triangle Development will be situated on 17 acres of vacant land south of Grand River Avenue and east of Novi Road.

MainStreet Novi will feature a mixture of retail outlets and residential units.

Jackson addressed city council recently to explain Dave Nona's request for some permanent zoning ordinance changes required for the developer to build what he wants.

"We want to change the zoning ordinances to meet the changing demographic trends," he said.

Specifically, Triangle is asking for an increase in the building height from 65 feet to 78 feet to accommodate a higher first-floor.

It also wants to modify density calculations or number of units per building for its mixed-use buildings and modified room counts for the project.

Parking is also proposed on the first level in the retail/residental mixed-use buildings. Underground parking is planned for the all-residential buildings.

"These changes will help contribute to the vibrancy of the area," Jackson said.

Changes to affect small area

The ordinance changes would only affect the area of the city zoned TC1, which includes property on the southeast corner of Novi Road and Grand River Avenue and a small parcel on the northwest corner of the intersection where Fidelity Investments sits.

Triangle is also proposing to increase the size of the residential units at MainStreet Novi.

Efficiency units will go from 400 square feet to 700 square feet; one-bedroom units will go from 500 square feet to 800 square feet; two-bedroom units will go from 750 square feet to 900 square feet; three-bedroom units will go from 900 square feet to 1,100 square feet; and four-bedroom units will go from 1,100 to 1,300 square feet.

Residents will be able to pick a specific floor plan for a specific unit, according to Jackson.

Council approved a first reading of the three basic ordinance changes May 22, but any zoning ordinance change must first be approved by the planning commission.

City staff and the planning department recommend that the changes be made.

Kim Capello, council member, said he would like to see more retail development in the project, but Nona believes there will be enough.

Toni Nagy, council member, said she likes the overall project but questioned the first-floor parking in the mixed-use buildings.

"I have concerns about the parking needs of residents versus the needs of the merchants," Nagy said.

"I'm anxious for this project to go in," Mayor David Landry told Nona. "I'd like to have your project move sooner than later."