The St. Joseph Township Board of Trustees has approved the latest proposal for use of the former Nye’s Apple Barn property at 3151 Niles Road.
At the board’s regular meeting on Monday, the vote was four to three each on Nye’s requests for a special use and a Planned Unit Development designation, meaning the project now moves forward. He’s proposed a fast food establishment, two three-story apartment buildings with a total of 48 units, a gas station, and a commercial welcome center for the currently vacant site near I-94.
The board’s vote came after multiple previous attempts by Nye to develop the site were rejected. He told us he’s glad things are now proceeding.
“I think what we propose here for the township will bring a lot of good, a lot of jobs, a place for people to live that are so needed,” Nye said.
The board’s approval of the PUD was contingent on several conditions being met. They include that a traffic light be installed near a newly re-routed Dozer Drive and that trees separating the Nye’s property from the adjacent neighborhood be replaced when damaged.
Township Supervisor Roger Seely told us Nye only now faces more routine approvals, like site plan reviews.
“It’s a good thing for our township,” Seely said. “It’s the housing that we need, and we need to move forward with that. So we’re going to be able to move forward with everything.”
Trustee Tom Milnikel told us given the location of this development and its inclusion of a welcome center, the site could become a showcase for the community.
“It presents to the visitors a variety of diversity of good things that are in this area, character of the area,” Milnikel said.
Milnikel also noted Nye is not seeking any public money for this development.
Monday’s meeting and an afternoon workshop included a large turnout residents of the adjacent Highwood Estates neighborhood opposed to the project. They voiced their concerns about its potential effects on traffic, crime, noise, and general safety. Trustee Ed Meny agreed that the proposed development would negatively impact the character of the neighborhood and voted accordingly. He told us after the meeting he disagreed with the majority’s opinion, but respects it.
“One of the things I love about local government is that everybody can express their opinion, and however the vote comes out, it comes out,” Meny said. “So I’m not particularly pleased with it, but it’s fine.”
The plan approved by trustees Monday is similar to a plan they rejected back in November, but one difference is that the Nye’s Apple Barn itself will now be preserved and operated as a locally-produced fruits and vegetables market by Nye’s niece, Lori Nye. She said in addition to selling produce, she’ll use the barn to sell farm-raised meats, cheeses, local baked goods, organic options, and possibly, as a coffee shop.
Many of the nearby residents opposed to the Nye’s proposal have said they believe the property should only be used for single-family housing, which is how it’s zoned. However, Nye has said due to the lot sizes and proximity of I-94, it would not be economically feasible to develop the site in that manner. Following Monday’s meeting, he told us he believes the re-routing of Dozer Drive and the addition of the new traffic light will ensure the safety of nearby residents and users of the development.
