Glacier Bay Melting?
The Elmwood Township Planning Commission met last night in the latest of its sessions devoted to the massive Glacier Bay waterpark proposed for the "Milliken property" on M-72. Planning Commissioners discussed a number of issues. Most important: whether or not the project meets the standards of the Elmwood Township Zoning Ordinance or Master Plan.
Most of the discussion Tuesday night focused on several issues:
1) Density/intensity Given that the project proposes several hundred lodging (not residential) units, how can it be evaluated in terms of Elmwood Township's Zoning Ordinance? The Zoning Ordinance section on Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) requires that the commercial elements of a PUD be concentrated within a "Village Center", the rest of the parcel devoted to at least 70% of open space. Planning Commissioners expressed doubts whether a project like Glacier Bay meets that standard.
2) Master Plan The Elmwood Township Master Plan requires that projects like this one meet a number of standards. Does Glacier Bay really provide enhanced recreational opportunities for Elmwood residents? Does it fill a demonstrated need? Does it provide housing stock for Elmwood? All these questions remain unanswered.