TRAVERSE CITY — A Garfield Township "eyesore" will host a new luxury car dealership.
Fox Grand Traverse plans to begin construction this fall on a $4 million facility to house both its BMW line and a new Fiat dealership on U.S. 31, just south of the Belle Tire store. The Fiat franchise will be just the third granted by the Italian car-maker in Michigan, said John Cueter, division director for Grand Rapids-based Fox Motors.
"We are really going to beautify this area," Cueter said, adding "the surrounding neighbors have felt that its been an eyesore for quite some time."
A subsidiary of Fox Motors bought the 2.8-acre site that backs up to a stream and wetlands in 2007. The property previously held a custom furniture manufacturer, Rustic Wholesale Furniture, which burned down in 2009.
"It will be a positive change in the appearance of the neighborhood here," said Chuck Korn, Garfield Township supervisor.
The development required the township board to approve a conditional rezoning of the back portion of the property from agriculture to general business. Garfield historically left the back end of property along its commercial corridors zoned agriculture to act as a buffer. Some township officials were concerned the rezoning set a bad precedent and would encourage other businesses to seek a rezoning to expand their operations.
Garfield Township Attorney Peter Doren said the conditions of the rezoning restrict use of the back half of the property to storm water retention.
"The conditions are more restrictive and protective of the stream, wetlands, and vegetation," Doren said.
The new dealership will have about 25 percent less pavement and building coverage than the previous use and twice the storm water retention.
Fox Motors needed to rezone the back acre because agriculture zoned land can't be used to support a commercial or retail enterprise even if it's just for storm water retention, Korn said. The board agreed with its legal counsel that conditional zoning does not set a precedent.
The new facility should be completed by April of 2013, a Fox representative said.
Region
Related Photos
-
A new Fox Motors BMW and Fiat dealership will be builtat 2801 N. U.S. 31 South. Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Fox to add new Fiat, BMW car dealership
-
-
Departing city manager talks about himself, reluctantly
Ben Bifoss said he came to Traverse City as a city manager without an agenda. He leaves pleased he didn’t garner a reputation for initiating changes, just managing them.
Continued ... -
Splash of water prevents spread of invasives into lakes
Ed Hoogterp wants Crystal Lake’s waters to remain crystal clear.
Continued ... -
Two Benzie officials' jobs in jeopardy
Two top Benzie County officials learned they may soon lose their jobs.
Continued ... -
East Jordan teenager charged with resisting, kicking
An East Jordan man is charged with a felony after authorities said he resisted arrest and kicked a deputy in the leg.
Continued ... -
Union St. downtown closed for maintenance
The city will close a portion of Union Street between Front Street and Grandview Parkway today to repair the asphalt and do general street maintenance.
Continued ... - Wednesday, June 19, 2013
-
Grand Traverse officials to discuss Twin Lakes safety
![tcr DrowningMeeting01-20130619kk05.jpg [Duplicate]](http://d6673sr63mbv7.cloudfront.net/archive/x2113332759/g04803c000000000000dad2faa14f71dd0fbc25b022487d4c9ca001fe2a.jpg "tcr DrowningMeeting01-20130619kk05.jpg [Duplicate]")
Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation commissioners will meet at 6 p.m. at the Governmental Center to talk about safety in the wake of Owen Williamson's recent drowning.
Continued ... -
Felon wants a firearm
Convicted felon. Bellaire resident Kent McNeil carries that brand, a label he earned after pleading guilty to kidnapping and extortion in 1988. Now he wants to legally possess firearms, though federal law prohibits felons from possessing guns.
Continued ... -
Cass Road crossing will develop with dam removals
It's time to stop talking and start replacing Cass Road Bridge, county officials said.
Continued ... -
Controversial anthropologist calls area home
Since 1999, one of America’s most famous and controversial anthropologists has lived quietly in a home set far off a wooded road with his wife and a hunting dog named Darwin.
Continued ... -
Tension boils over Benzie undersheriff position
Benzie County remains undersheriff-less as county commissioners and sheriff’s department leaders continue a six-month-long battle over pay and benefits that spurred talk of inter-government lawsuits.
Continued ... -
Kalkaska man gets 100 years for sex crimes
A Kalkaska man convicted of sex crimes against his stepdaughters likely will spend his remaining years behind bars.
Continued ... -
Old Mission named among top coastal drives
Old Mission Peninsula claimed a spot on USA Today’s recent list of 10 coastal drives.
Continued ... - Tuesday, June 18, 2013
-
Man could face 7th domestic violence conviction
A Traverse City man with six prior domestic violence convictions is due back in court on the same charge.
Continued ... -
DDA chief nurtured downtown TC growth
Bryan Crough loved to listen to people talk about downtown Traverse City and how it has become a hot spot for the arts, dining and commerce.
Continued ... -
Officials to meet on Cass, Hartman-Hammond river crossings
The Cass Road Bridge will be replaced after all.
Continued ... -
Clearing the Record: 06/18/2013
Because of a reporter’s error, the creator of the six dogmen costumes for the “Dogman 2: Wrath of the Litter” movie was misidentified in Saturday’s Record-Eagle.
Continued ... - Monday, June 17, 2013
-
BATA plan: Load more bikes on buses
Cyclists who pedal the Leelanau Trail between Traverse City and Suttons Bay now have more back-and-forth options.
Continued ... -
Goodwill to develop food truck
An area nonprofit will rely on more than $20,000 in taxpayer-funded grants to begin operating a food truck that accepts Bridge Cards.
Continued ... -
Downtown leader passes away
TRAVERSE CITY — A community pillar who literally helped shape downtown Traverse City died unexpectedly Sunday night of an apparent heart attack. For more than three decades, Bryan Crough, 59, left his mark on local politics and culture, serving as a
Continued ... -
Light & Power board balks at price of proposal
Traverse City Light & Power board members balked at a $60,000-plus, no-bid proposal to plot the city-owned utility’s future.
Continued ... -
Empire event to celebrate beloved soundman
The northern Michigan musical community will pay homage to one of its own during the Summer Solstice Celebration of Music and Community on June 23 from noon to 9 p.m. at Johnson Park in Empire.
Continued ... -
'Thunder' to roll to honor vets
Members of Rolling Thunder Michigan Chapter 1 invite the public to polish their chrome and join them as they hit the highway for their fourth annual Pure Thunder-escorted veterans memorial ride.
Continued ... -
Northern Notes: Just Mulch gets thank-you
Debra Norman, principal at Lake Ann Elementary School, wrote to thank Scott and Deb Talquist from Just Mulch for providing the school with the equipment and manpower to keep its pond and waterfall operating.
Continued ... - Sunday, June 16, 2013
-
TBAISD to hold budget hearing
Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District Board of Education will hold a hearing on their fiscal year 2013-14 budget on Tuesday as board members consider whether to spend some of their nearly 58 percent fund balance.
Continued ... -
'Family is our whole life': Raising quadruplets plus two
Since her quadruplets grew out of diapers, life smoothed out for Tonya Lewandowski.
Continued ...
-
