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Novi City Council to Consider Plan for Society Hill Development

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Novi City Council to Consider Plan for Society Hill Development

In Novi, a heated discussion is on the horizon regarding the future of the Society Hill site near 12 1/2 Mile Road and Novi Road. The core issue at hand is whether to develop this location under an old plan established in 1999 or a new proposal presented in 2024.

For many years, this verdant landscape peppered with wetlands has been earmarked for a significant residential complex by developer E & M Holdings LLC. A fact that has ruffled feathers within the local community. Many of the residents originally purchased their properties due to their proximity to these lush wetlands. The idea of replacing this green space with buildings doesn’t sit well with them. Concerns regarding increased traffic have been voiced too.

But hair-splitting aside, city representatives have clarified that the decision won’t be on whether to allow development but on the plan to be executed for the same. A site plan granted to E & M Holdings back in 1999 is still valid and can be renewed annually by showing the intent to develop.

The old plan would see 312 apartments, spread amongst 23 two to three-story buildings erected on the site. The new proposal, on the other hand, promises a little bit of everything – apartments, townhomes, villas, with a spike in the tally to 463 residential units. The updated site plan also promises additional amenities like pools, sports courts, parks, and walking trails.

What’s concerning the locals is an increase of 33% in unit count and not just the proposed aesthetics. At the brink of this discussion, the concern is if the new modified changes will add value to Novi compared to the old plan that the developer can execute straight away. According to Councilman Matt Heintz, the old plan has been dormant to date, which brings up the question – will it actually be executed or not?

The updates on either of these plans will be presented to the council at a later date that’s yet to be determined. So, will it be a story of old vs. new or development vs. conservation in Novi? Only time will tell.