Our Final Blog Post

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

All good things must come to an end.  In our case, we plan to evolve our communications into something even better.

After almost seven years of operation and over 1,100 blog posts, we have decided to retire the Developing Thoughts blog.  We wish to thank everyone for their support.  It has been our mission to keep folks informed of the great things happening in the City of Auburn Hills.  Creating a high level of transparency has always been our goal.  We hope you have found our posts informative and helpful.

Moving forward the Community Development Department will be contributing to the Inside Auburn Hills blog.  

Sign up to receive e-mail notifications of Inside Auburn Hills posts in the upper right hand side of their page

We plan to merge much of the Developing Thoughts blog’s historical content into the Inside Auburn Hills blog in the months ahead so that people can still access the information.

Thank you for reading our blog posts.  It has been a fun ride!

Michigan Planners Recognize Greg Ouellette For Dedicated Service

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, City Planner

It is a pleasure to work with people who demonstrate a passion and commitment to the City of Auburn Hills like Planning Commission Chairperson Greg Ouellette.

Planning Commission Chairperson Greg Ouellette

At the September 12th Planning Commission meeting, Greg was recognized for his achievement of being a 20-year member of the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP).  He became a member of MAP when he began serving on the Planning Commission in February 1998.  Yes, that’s right 1998!  In January 2009, Greg was selected by his peers on the Planning Commission to lead their meetings and serve as their Chairperson.

Greg has professionally represented the City during his 20 years of service, showing the utmost respect to both the citizens and businesses that have brought development related issues and proposals before the Board.  As a volunteer, he has built his knowledge base in planning and leadership by attending numerous training sessions provided by MAP and other organizations.

The Auburn Hills Planning Commission

Director of Community Development Steve Cohen and I concur with MAP’s recognition and appreciation for Greg’s long-term commitment and dedication to quality community planning and the City of Auburn Hills.  We feel very lucky to have him on our team.

Congrats Greg!  Thank you again for your leadership and service.

Industrial Site To Be Transformed: $20 Million Housing Development Proposed In Downtown Auburn Hills

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

We’re pleased to report that Bacall Development LLC has submitted a development application to the City of Auburn Hills to construct a $20 million multi-family residential development called Fountain Circle of Auburn Hills on 16.4 acres of land generally located north of Auburn Road, east of College Drive.  The project is proposed within the City’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) District.

Rendering of the proposed new development

Rendering of the proposed buildings circling the planned pond and fountain

The luxury apartment community will feature 258 residences in seven buildings of various sizes, with a clubhouse, pool, and park areas.  The buildings will be constructed with high-quality interior and exterior features, including exteriors of masonry and stone veneers with complimentary materials for architectural details.  The residences will consist of one, two, and three bedroom units ranging from 575 square feet to 1,375 square feet.   The developer anticipates rental rates to be comparable to other new apartment complexes in the surrounding area.

Site Plan

The City of Auburn Hills acquired this property from Mound Steel and Superior Concrete in 2012 and has since conducted an environmental clean-up of the site to prepare the land for development.  As part of the new project and land sale, Bacall Development LLC will build a segment of Parkways Boulevard through the site allowing the roadway to extend from Squirrel Road to Adams Road per the City’s Downtown Master Plan.

Those interested in learning more about this proposal are encouraged to attend the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 10th at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber at City Hall.  A final decision on the application is anticipated by the City Council on Monday, October 22nd.

If approved, construction is expected to begin this Fall.

We’re Looking For Auburn Hills Residents With Building Construction Experience To Serve

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

If you work or are retired with experience in building construction … we need you!

Michigan Law requires every community that enforces the State Construction Code to have a Construction Board of Appeals (CBA).  The law also requires the members of the CBA to be qualified with experience or training in the field of construction and codes.  The members of the CBA are appointed by Mayor, with confirmation by the City Council, and hear appeals from the decisions of the Building Official.

Although not required by law, we’re especially interested in finding one or more Auburn Hills residents that are licensed in the building trades (electrical, mechanical, or plumbing), building construction, general contracting, or architecture to serve on this Board.

Don’t worry!  Serving on this Board would not be a demanding time commitment.  The CBA meets on an as-needed basis.  The group last gathered for a hearing in 2004.

If you’re interested in serving as a volunteer in this capacity, please e-mail your credentials to scohen@auburnhills.org.

Flavors Abound at Mediterranean Village Grill

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, City Planner

It’s always nice to announce the opening of a new business in Auburn Hills, especially when it involves food.  And when the food offered includes an assortment of dishes that are both flavorful and healthy, well that’s a bonus.

Mediterranean Village Grill is officially open with a menu that includes a number of authentic Mediterranean dishes like falafel, tabbouli, chicken taouk and everyone’s favorite – shawarma (chicken & beef).  The three salads on the menu (fattoush, tabbouli, and kale lentil) are sure to catch the eye of the more health-conscious customer.

If you’re not in the mood for the flavors of the Mediterranean region, no need to worry – their menu also includes hamburgers, fries (regular, seasoned and loaded), wings, lentil soup and more.

If you’re looking for someplace new to eat that serves fresh food fast, check out Mediterranean Village Grill, located 3047 Walton Boulevard within the Walton Plaza Shopping Center.

Wine Tasting With A Twist

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, City Planner

If you’re looking for something different to do this Saturday, September 15^th, stop by Downtown Auburn Hills for Michigan By The Bottle’s Sip and Shop Vendor Fair.

There will be a number of vendors on hand, both inside and outside along their storefront selling apparel, jewelry, home decor, beauty products, snacks, handmade goods and more. There will also be a massage therapist on hand offering chair massages.

The first 50 attendees will receive a “goody bag” with samples from vendors, coupons from fellow Downtown merchants, and other items.  If the weather cooperates, attendees might want to relax on the patio while enjoying some of Michigan’s finest wines or Northwoods soda with family and friends.  Don’t miss this fun event.

“Residences at River Trail” Proposed Near Downtown Auburn Hills

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

A development application has been submitted by Old Adams-59 LLC to construct a low-rise multi-family residential development called Residences at River Trail on 15.52 acres of land located west of Old Adams Road, south of M-59.  The bulk of the project is proposed within the City’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) District.  The overall investment is estimated at $18 million.

Location map

The project will consist of 106 luxury style-apartment units within six, three-story buildings with 53 one-bedroom and 53 two-bedroom units.  Rental rates are anticipated to range between $1,000 and $2,000 per month depending on the unit size.  As an amenity for the project’s residents, the developer proposes to preserve over 60% of the site as undeveloped open space.

Rendering of one of the proposed apartment buildings

This proposal provides numerous benefits for the community as it implements the vision of Riverwalk Master Plan and Parks and Recreation Master Plan by including a 10 foot wide recreational pathway, which will be open to the public and serve as the Riverwalk’s northern spur.  The new pathway will connect pathway on N. Squirrel Road, through River Woods Park to Old Adams Road creating a long-planned-for recreational loop for biking, running, walking, and cross-country skiing.

Illustrated site plan

Riverwalk Master Plan Trail – planned network

Also, the developer will donate a 1.57-acre parcel of land on the west side of the Clinton River to increase the size of River Woods Park and provide $100,000 to assist with the cost of the construction of a new pedestrian bridge over the Clinton River to allow the pathway to be extended to Old Adams Road.

Those interested in learning more about this proposal are encouraged to attend the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 12th at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber at City Hall.  A final decision on the application is anticipated by the City Council on Monday, September 24th.

Genisys Credit Union Proposes New LED Sign For Mortgage Service Center

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, City Planner

An application has been submitted by Genisys Credit Union to allow the installation of a LED automatic changeable copy sign at their new mortgage service center located at 2011 Executive Hills Boulevard.

Photo mock-up of what the sign will look like

The proposed sign will enable the credit union to better promote the services they offer to the community, while also allowing the Auburn Hills Police Department to display Amber Alerts and emergency messages when needed.

Proposed sign location

Those interested in learning more about this proposal are encouraged to attend the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 12th at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber at City Hall.  A final decision on the application is anticipated by the City Council on Monday, September 24th.

Parkways Boulevard Proposed To Be Extended To Auburn Road

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

We wish to report that the City of Auburn Hills has initiated the process of changing the street name of Squirrel Court to Parkways Boulevard.  If approved by the City Council, the street name will not officially change until Squirrel Court is physically connected with Parkways Boulevard and open to the public for thru-traffic at the intersection of Squirrel Court and Tebeau Court.  The road connection is anticipated to be complete by Fall 2019.

Aerial map outlining the new east-west roadway to be named Parkways Boulevard.

As background, it has been the City’s long-term plan to create a new roadway, north of Auburn Road, from Downtown Auburn Hills to Adams Road.  The first segment of this new roadway, called Parkways Boulevard, was completed in 2015 adjacent to Adams Road.  The City is currently working with a developer on plans to extend Parkways Boulevard west to the intersection of Squirrel Court and Tebeau Court, thus ultimately connecting the road extension with Squirrel Court.  As a result, the street name for the entire length of Squirrel Court is proposed to be changed to Parkways Boulevard once the two streets are joined into one unified public roadway at Tebeau Court.

The City is proposing this street name change for public health and safety reasons as it would create a clear and continual street name for the new roadway from Auburn Road, near the City’s Riverside Park, to Adams Road once connected.  The selection of Parkways Boulevard as the new street name will assist with rapid property identification by first responders, along with providing improved traffic navigation for the general population.  Also, the “Parkways” street name is fitting as City parks are situated at both ends of the proposed unified roadway.

The street name and address changes would not occur until the roadway is connected and open at the intersection of Squirrel Court and Tebeau Court, which is anticipated in Fall 2019.

Those interested in providing comment or learning more about this proposal are encouraged to attend the City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, September 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall.

Stephanie Carroll Honored By Michigan Economic Development Peers

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

Numerous dedicated and talented people work for, and volunteer at, the City of Auburn Hills.  Stephanie Carroll, Manager of Business Development and Community Relations, is a prime example of the leadership and excellence that members of our team strive to achieve.

Last week, Stephanie was recognized by her professional organization, the Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA), with their President’s Award.  This award is given annually to an individual who has made a noticeable impact on the advancement of MEDA’s mission.

Current MEDA President, Monique Holliday-Bettie, described Stephanie in her award presentation as “a great collaborator, supporter, motivator, and problem-solver; I could go on and on … She has made a tremendous impact with our committees, our Board, and our Association.  I hope she understands how appreciated, valued, and cherished her talents are.”

MEDA Present Monique Holliday-Bettie (left) and Stephanie Carroll (right)

Congrats Stephanie on receiving this well-deserved honor from your peers!

Duffy’s Dollar Burger – The Legend Continues

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, City Planner

Anyone familiar with Downtown Auburn Hills knows the best place for lunch on Wednesdays is Duffy’s Pub with their legendary “Dollar-Burger” special.  Over the years, Duffy’s has built a solid reputation of serving some of the juiciest hamburgers in town.  During lunch hours, the pub is packed with people enjoying the lunchtime special with friends and co-workers.

If you’re not in the mood for a burger, no need to worry.  They have a menu full of items that include sandwiches, quesadilla, tacos, nachos, fish & chips, salads and soups that are sure to please the palate.

If you can’t make it to lunch, stop by for dinner and enjoy live music.  Wednesday is karaoke night and live bands play Thursday through Saturday nights.  Duffy’s Irish Pub is located at 3320 Auburn Road and has a municipal parking lot located right behind it.  For more information about Duffy’s Pub, visit them on Facebook.

Want Farm To Table Produce? Think Farm Boy

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, City Planner

Not many communities have an open-air market, that’s open seven days a week, where you can buy freshly picked produce grown on a local farm.  But, we’ve got one!

Farm Boy Produce has a long history of providing fresh fruits and vegetables to those who live and work in the area from their stand in Downtown Auburn Hills.  This year is no different.  Their tables and bins are now stocked full of fresh sweet corn, tomatoes, melons, peaches, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, carrots, eggplants, and more.

Farm Boy Produce is located at 3157 Auburn Road and open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  You can’t miss it, just look for the big yellow tent located on the north side of Auburn Road, just west of S. Squirrel Road.  Enjoy!

The Reserves … N. Squirrel Road Condominium Project Taking Shape

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, City Planner

There has been a great deal of building construction in the City of Auburn Hills, especially in one of our community’s newest residential developments called the Reserves of Auburn Hills.  Over a relatively short period of time five, four-unit condominiums have been erected on the site allowing plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and other trades to begin work on the building interiors, which can be customized to fit the purchaser’s own personal style.

The 65 attached-unit condominium development, located just south of Shimmons Circle, is perfect for those looking for low maintenance living in homes with nine-foot ceilings, hard wood floors and gourmet kitchens.  Units range in size from 1,300 to 1,900 square feet and offer both ranch and split level floor plans with prices starting around $300,000.

Residents will find tree-lined sidewalks leading to the City’s pathway system that is enjoyed by walkers, joggers, and cyclists.  The new neighborhood is expected to be highly desirable as it is conveniently located near employment opportunities, shopping, and other amenities such as Oakland University, Meadow Brook Theatre, Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, and the Auburn Hills Community Center and Library.

Rendering of the site plan for the Reserves of Auburn Hills

For more information about this development visit their website at http://reservesofauburnhills.com.

Understanding Your Brain Better

Posted by – Stephanie Carroll, Manager of Business Development and Community Relations

Last week, we celebrated the opening of Brain Life Center with owners David Sanders and Julie Lamphier and their incredible staff.

Brain Life Center offers patients a non-invasive method for facilitating greater balance and harmony in the brain.   They are able to help people of all ages overcome cognitive, emotional and physical challenges in their lives.

It was wonderful to see their facility in order to gain a better understanding of the technology they use to optimize the brain’s activity.  This technology passively supports the brain to self-regulate back to its healthy state.

Brain Life Center is located at 3252 University Drive in Suite #165.  We wish them much success in Auburn Hills!

Rollin’ With The Changes: August 15th Planning Commission Meeting Cancelled

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

Sometimes things happen that are beyond your control and, just as the REO Speedwagon rock anthem wisely exclaims, you “… got to, got to roll with the changes.”

As a little background, the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act requires that notice must be published in a newspaper of general circulation not less than 15 days prior to the date of a public hearing.  Well, due to unforeseen circumstances, that required publication did not occur last week for the Planning Commission’s four public notices.

Since the legally required 15-day notification has not been met, the following four projects will NOT be reviewed by the Planning Commission on August 15th and have been rescheduled for their September 12th meeting:

1. Autoliv Building and Parking Lot Expansion
2. Residences at River Trail
3. Genisys Credit Union – Changeable Copy Sign
4. Rezoning of Oakland Community College and WMU-Cooley Law School Properties

As a result, the Planning Commission has cancelled their August 15th meeting.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 248-364-6900.

Construction Begins On New Mobile Gas Station and Convenience Store

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, City Planner

If you’ve been by the corner of Opdyke Road and Featherstone Road, you may have noticed that something is missing – the Mobil gas station.  The old gas station has been demolished to make room for a new, modern ten-pump Mobil gas station/convenience store.

The new 4,000 sq. ft. building will provide residents, employees, and travelers in the area with another option to quickly purchase gas, food, snacks, beverages, and other merchandise.

Rendering of the proposed building and caonpy looking north from Featherstone Road

The much-anticipated grand opening should take place sometime this fall.  This development will go a long way in improving the aesthetics of the Opdyke Road Corridor.

New Building For Esys Automation Takes Shape

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Community Development Executive Assistant

We are happy to report that construction is progressing on the new 125,000 square foot facility for Esys Automation, a company headquartered right here in Auburn Hills.  Esys Automation operates globally and is a leading, full-service automation solutions provider to the automotive industry.

East face of building / future office area

The project, located at 1000 Brown Road just east of Joslyn Road, began early this spring.  The steel is set, and the roof, currently being installed over the 40,000 square feet of planned office area, will be complete by Friday.  Concrete flooring will be poured late this week and early next week.

West face of building / future warehouse and shop area

Completion is slated for the end of October when this building will serve to consolidate their operations from two other existing buildings in Auburn Hills.  Check back for updates as construction progresses.

Ziggy’s Cheesesteaks Coming to Auburn Hills

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, City Planner

There’s a new restaurant coming to Auburn Hills, and it’s bringing the taste of South Philly with it.

Ziggy’s Cheesesteaks is a new casual restaurant that prides itself on serving authentic style cheesesteaks like the ones you would find in the cheesesteak capital of the world – Philadelphia.   Hungry customers will select from a menu that includes nine different styles of freshly made cheesesteak sandwiches, served on a traditional Italian bun.  If you’re not craving cheesesteak (made with thinly sliced ribeye steak), they also offer loose burgers, chicken, and vegetarian sandwiches.

Ziggy’s will be joining Dunkin’ Donuts in the Auburn Crossing Shopping Plaza located on the north side of University Drive just east of I-75.

We look forward to their grand opening that should take place sometime in October.

Creating An Age-Friendly Region

Posted by – Stephanie Carroll, Manager of Business Development and Community Relations

The City of Auburn Hills was recently invited to give a presentation at Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) on what we have accomplished to help address the needs of the growing senior citizen population in our community.  We had the opportunity to interact with other communities who are just beginning their journey in this area.

My colleague Karen Adcock, Director of Senior Services and I discussed how we are making Auburn Hills more accessible to everyone.  We want to be a city where ALL generations feel welcome.  When you are in the business of delivering services, it’s important to understand how those services change over time as it relates to demographic shifts.  Auburn Hills now has more seniors than school-aged kids in our community.

We outlined our work since joining the AARP’s Age-Friendly Network in 2013.  We talk about community engagement, our action plan, and the initiatives our Planning Commission and City Council are making a high priority for Auburn Hills.

An Age-Freindly Community Conversation

It was great to hear from the experts talk about the role of local government and why it is vital in creating an atmosphere where people can age in place.  We know we have work to do, but we are now in a better position to address this important issue.

Robotics Giant FANUC America To Invest $51 Million In Auburn Hills

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

This past Monday night, the City Council approved plans from General Development Company to construct a 461,525 square foot light industrial facility for FANUC America Corporation on a 24.34 acre site located on the south and east side of West Entrance Drive.  The total investment is estimated at $51 million.

Rendering of the new FANUC America Corporation facility in Auburn Hills

FANUC America Corporation is the world’s leading supplier of industrial robots.  The company also produces software, controls, and vision products that aid in the development of robotic systems. The company’s name is an acronym for Fuji Automatic NUmerical Control.  FANUC’s global headquarters is located at the base of Mount Fuji, which is about 60 miles southwest of Tokyo, Japan.

The new high-tech industrial facility on West Entrance Drive will primarily be utilized for the light assembly of add-on components to robots, along with warehousing operations

This new facility will serve as an expansion of their Americas Headquarters campus that is currently located in both the cities of Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills.  The company will consolidate and expand operations from other locations in the Metro Detroit area to this single facility.

Aerial photo showing the location of the new facility

Understanding that the project needed to meet a strict construction time frame to accommodate FANUC’s growth plans, all parties worked together to design this mammoth development.  Remarkably, it was reviewed and approved by the City in just 41 days, which is light speed for a facility of this complexity.  It was truly a team effort all around.  Construction is scheduled to begin on August 1st with completion anticipated by November 2019.

Once built, it will become the third largest industrial building in Auburn Hills with only FCA US LLC’s Headquarters and Technical Center and ABB’s North American Robotics Headquarters being larger in size.

With both FANUC and ABB now having their most significant facilities in Auburn Hills, we hope that we may soon earn the distinction of being the robotics capital of the United States.

City To Rezone Oakland Community College And Cooley Law School Land

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

A key strategic goal of the City Council is to proactively prepare underutilized properties for redevelopment.  This comprehensive rezoning proposal, along with The Palace of Auburn Hills redevelopment study and rezoning and the rezoning of the Oakland County Animal Shelter Property are excellent examples of the City Council, Planning Commission, and staff working together with private landowners to implement that vision.

In recent years, the City has participated in conversations with representatives from Oakland Community College and WMU-Cooley Law School regarding the re-use of their underutilized property located along Featherstone Road.  Due to significant demand for high-tech land in Auburn Hills that could accommodate corporate headquarters and R&D facilities, it was agreed by all parties that it would be prudent to conduct this rezoning.  The rezoning will allow additional land use flexibility in the redevelopment of the property, if so desired by Oakland Community College and WMU-Cooley Law School in the future.  New development would place the underutilized portions of these tax exempt properties on the assessing rolls, which will generate new property tax revenue and jobs.

The vision is to transform the underutilized land like this “sea of parking” along Featherstone Road into an attractive high-tech business park with corporate HQ and technical center buildings, greenspace, and trees

Thus, the City has initiated a rezoning application, as generally described below:

1. The WMU-Cooley Law School property located at 2630 Featherstone Road (Sidwell No. 14-26-226-004) is proposed to be rezoned from SP, Special Purpose District to T&R, Technology and Research District.
2. The Oakland Community College property located at 2900 Featherstone Road (Sidwell Nos. 14-26-226-006, 14-26-226-007, 14-25-101-005, and 14-25-101-004) is proposed to be rezoned from SP, Special Purpose District and O, Office District to T&R, Technology and Research District and I-1, Light Industrial District.

Lastly, it is noted that the rezoning will also facilitate the State permitting and construction of a digital billboard sign, previously approved by the City Council in January 2016, on Oakland Community College’s CREST Center property adjacent to M-59.

Mock-up rendering of the billboard sign adjacent to M-59 previously approved by the City Council

Those interested in learning more about this proposal are encouraged to attend the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 15th Wednesday, September 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall.  A final decision on the application is anticipated to be made by the City Council on Monday, August 27th Monday, September 24th.

Autoliv Proposes Impressive North American Headquarters Expansion

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

We’re pleased to announce that Swedish-based Autoliv, the world’s largest automotive safety supplier, has submitted plans to construct an expansion of their North American Headquarters and Technical Center located at 1320 Pacific Drive.  The new three-story, 71,207 square foot building addition will house the majority of the 550 high-tech workers anticipated to be employed at the facility when complete.

Rendering of the proposed building addition looking south from I-75

Autoliv supplies airbags, seatbelts, steering wheels, passive safety electronics, and active safety systems to all the major car manufacturers in the world.  Each year, their products save more than 30,000 lives and prevent ten times as many injuries.

Autoliv employee preparing a dummy for a crash test

The construction of this technically complex expansion project is planned through a series of phases that will take approximately 18 to 19 months to complete.  The first phase is expected to begin later this year with final occupancy by Fall 2020.  The building will be 258,798 square feet in size when finished.

Site plan showing the expansion in the color blue

Those interested in learning more about this proposal are encouraged to attend the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 15th Wednesday, September 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall.  A final decision on the application is anticipated to be made by the City Council on Monday, August 27th Monday, September 24th.

Providing A Full Auburn Hills Experience Through iLead

Posted by – Stephanie Carroll, Manager of Business Development and Community Relations

Last Friday, the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce kicked off their new six-month leadership program called iLead (Learn, Engage, Achieve, and Discover).  iLead is designed for early to mid-level leaders in the Auburn Hills community.

Session One was held in our City Council Chamber and featured current leaders of the City of Auburn Hills.  Each staff member gave an overview of their department, shared experiences that lead them to want to be leaders in local government and discussed what makes Auburn Hills so unique.  After the presentations, Assistant City Manager Don Grice provided a tour of the City’s campus.

It was such a fun morning.  We appreciate and feel honored that the Auburn Hills Chamber chose the City to kick off its new leadership series.

We look forward to learning about the first iLead class’s experience at the 2019 State of the Community event.

EV Maker Tesla Installs “Superchargers” At Meijer

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, City Planner

Tesla, one of the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturers, selected the Meijer at 800 Brown Road to be a part of their nation-wide network of charging locations by installing eight plug-in electric vehicle “superchargers” in their parking lot.

The charging stations are located in the parking lot south of the Meijer gas station

Over the past few years, Tesla has been installing supercharger stations along well-traveled routes, like the I-75 corridor that runs through Auburn Hills.  They select locations such as Meijer because the store is open 24-hours a day, is a WiFi hotspot, and is located near restaurants and retail stores.  Thus, the site provides folks with many ways to occupy the 30 minutes it takes to fully charge their car, like grabbing a bite to eat or doing a little shopping.

Tesla’s goal coincides with the City’s ongoing actions and efforts to be a Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Ready Community and helps eliminate the “range anxiety” many electric vehicle owners experience today.  The City thanks Tesla for selecting Auburn Hills as one of their new supercharger station locations.  We look forward to seeing people charging their cars right here in our community.

Property On Harmon Road To Be Prepared For Development

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

A development application has been submitted by JB Donaldson Company to the City of Auburn Hills for mass grading and tree removal permit approval.  The company wishes to prepare a useable industrial building pad on a 10.49-acre site that is located at the northeast corner of Pinnacle Court and Harmon Road.

Aerial photo of the site

The company anticipates starting the land balancing project upon City approval and completing the operation by the end of September.  It is estimated that 36,000 cubic yards of material will be moved on-site.  They do not anticipate the need to bring off-site fill to the property to level the site.

JB Donaldson Company has constructed several buildings in Auburn Hills over the years, with the most recent being the Kia Dealership in the Dutton Corporate Centre.  They are currently building a 14,350 square foot corporate headquarters and technical center for Matrix Engineered Systems at 1850 Taylor Road and a 125,000 square foot corporate office and technical center for Esys Automation at 1000 Brown Road.

Those interested in learning more about this proposal are encouraged to attend the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for tonight, Wednesday, July 11th at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber at City Hall.  A final decision on the application is anticipated by the City Council on Monday, July 23rd.

Avondale Students Assess the Health Of The Clinton River

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, City Planner

Just before the end of the school year, over 300 students and teachers from Avondale High School met with mentors from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the City of Auburn Hills at Riverside Park to assess the condition of the Clinton River.

The students conducted a variety of activities such as recording the type and number of organisms found in the river, conducting chemical assessments of the water, measuring the width, depth, and velocity of the river, and evaluating the condition of the river bank.

Avondale High School has been monitoring the health of the river for more than a decade through the Clinton River Watershed Council’s Stream Leaders Program.  The final results of all the data and information collected by the students this year indicate that the segment of the Clinton River flowing through Downtown Auburn Hills is in good condition.

For more information on how you can protect water quality, please visit www.auburnhills.org/stormwater.php

To learn more about the Clinton River Water Council’s Stream Leaders Program, please visit www.clintonriver.org.

10th Annual BBQ Cook-Off Championship

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, City Planner

The City of Auburn Hills held its 10^th Annual State Championship Barbecue Cook-Off on June 22^nd and 23^rd.  The cook-off, which was part of Auburn Hills Summerfest, was sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society.  Thirty teams competed in this year’s cook-off that included one team from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, four teams from Ohio and one team from Georgia.  Each team competed in four categories; chicken, pork ribs, pork and brisket for the chance win the coveted Grand Championship title.

Congratulations to this year’s Grand Champion’s iBQ’N@TheBBQSuperStore.com, from Rockford, Michigan. They will get a chance to participate in two of the largest invitational BBQ contests in the world, the American Royal, in Kansas City, and the Jack Daniel’s World Championship BBQ Invitational, in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

Grand Champion

Auburn Hills Barbecue Cook-Off Contest Results (Top 5)

Overall Rankings

1. iBQ’N@TheBBQSuperStore.com (Grand Champion)
2. Bavarian Smoke BBQ (Reserve Champion)
3. SmokinAces@TheBBQSuperStore.com
4. Rubbed, Smoked and Sauced BBQ
5. Spittin’ Feathers BBQ

1st Place Chicken

Chicken

1. Bavarian Smoke BBQ
2. Bo-B-Q BBQ
3. SmokinAces@TheBBQSuperStore.com
4. .40 Caliber BBQ
5. Sweet Racks and Smokin’ Butts BBQ

First Place Pork Ribs

Pork Ribs

1. Bavarian Smoke BBQ
2. Rubbed, Smoked and Sauced BBQ
3. Bad Wolf BBQ
4. iBQ’N@TheBBQSuperstore.com
5. .40 Caliber BBQ

1st Place Pork

Pork

1. iBQ’N@TheBBQSuperStore.com
2. SmokinAces@TheBBQSuperStore.com
3. Bad Habit BBQ
4. PB & J’s BBQ
5. Rubbed, Smoked and Sauced BBQ

1st Place Brisket

Brisket

1. J & B’s BBQ
2. Two Crackers Q-ing
3. iBQ’N@TheBBQSuperStore.com
4. Spittin’ Feathers BBQ
5. Aww Hell

For more information about the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) or how to become a certified BBQ Judge, please visit KCBS website at www.kcbs.us.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS – Sonesta ES Suites, DTE Energy, Meijer, Duffy’s Pub, Family Table, Dimitri’s Opa Restaurant, Genisys Credit Union, Noon Optimist Club, Auburn Hills DDA, Power Home Remodeling, Night Nature Alliance, Go Ape!, The River Church, Rainbow Childcare Center and Little Caesars.

First & Main Officially Welcomed to Auburn Hills

Posted by – Stephanie Carroll, Manager of Business Development and Community Relations

Last night, we celebrated the grand opening of First & Main.  This assisted living and memory care facility is the perfect complement to our community.  In addition to being beautifully designed, First & Main gives residents the care and respect they need and deserve.

The grand opening celebration was held in First & Main’s “City Hall” meeting room

About six years ago, Auburn Hills began engaging in Age-Friendly planning initiatives.  As part of the age-friendly planning process, one of the areas of focus was housing. We worked with developers and builders to ensure that as people age, finding suitable housing in Auburn Hills would not be a difficult task.

Left to right – First & Main Chairman & CEO, Gary Granger with Executive Director, Deborah Skotak and Cheryl Verbeke, Auburn Hills City Council member

First and Main fulfills this area of focus in our community.  The facility is designed to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing homes.  First & Main’s unique design captures the energy and convenience of a town center, with places to eat, shop, and enjoy life with friends.

Raising the Flag at the Grand Opening celebration

We toured the facility and met some of the residents who already call First & Main home.  We wish First & Main much success in the years to come!

City Council Takes Action On Development Proposals

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

We wish to report that last night the City Council approved the following development applications:

Oakland Technology Park – I-75 Signs:  Request by General Development Company to allow the installation of three new monument signs along I-75 adjacent to the Oakland Technology Park.  The first of the three new signs will be installed by Hirotec America later this summer.

Rendering of how the massing and spacing of the signs will look along I-75 from a driver’s perspective

Rochester Soccer Club Rezoning:  Request by the Rochester Soccer Club (RSC) to rezone their 29.4 acre property located at 3200 Dutton Road from R-1A, One-Family Residential District to T&R, Technology and Research District.  The rezoning will provide the club with options when making a decision in the future to either expand their existing soccer complex or move their operations to a new location.

Aerial photo showing the location of the RSC property

Plans Withdrawn For Concrete Crushing Operation At 415 Collier

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

We wish to update the general public that Bedient Construction has withdrawn their request for approval to operate a concrete and aggregate crushing/recycling facility at 415 Collier Road.  Thus, the project will not move forward.

The proposal failed to obtain a recommendation to the City Council for approval from the Planning Commission on June 13th.

Property viewed from Collier Road