Red-hot Ferndale weighs plans for 97-home development south of high school

A proposal to build one of the largest single-family home developments in Ferndale in years is back before the city Planning Commission this week.

Pinecrest Holdings LCC. is seeking approval to build 70 single-family homes, along with 27 multiple-family units, on 20 acres of former industrial land, just south of Ferndale High School.

The developer has been working with the city for about a year on developing the site, which totals 40 acres on the west side of Pinecrest running south to Eight Mile Road, the city’s border with Detroit.

The property, which is largely vacant now, is the former site of Hayes Lemmerz, an auto supplier, and Ethyl Corp,, a chemical supplier, according to city Planning Manager Justin Lyons.

The original plans called for a 90 single-family homes, but it has gone through revisions based on feedback from the city Planning Commission, as well as from residents during a Dec. 5 community meeting. It is back before the planners Wednesday night.

The current iteration for phase one of the development calls for 70 single-family homes, 19 townhouse-style residences and “8 ranch-style ‘affordable’ attached homes” on the northern 20 acres of the site. The ranch-style homes would be about 1,200 square feet and include two-car garages in the back of the residences, the developer said.

“We believe these homes will be suited perfectly for current residents who would like to purchase new homes in Ferndale but feel priced out of the rising market,” the developer said in a letter to the city described the revised proposal. “Each home will have the ability to be barrier free for anyone who desires aging in place options.”

Lyons said the city has pushed for “diversification of housing types and affordable considerations as part of the development,” which is proposed under the Planned Unit Development ordinance.

At the December meeting before the addition of the affordable units, the developer told residents pricing could start just less than $300,000, depending on market rates at the time. If the developer gets the necessary approvals this spring, construction would begin in the fall with the first units for sale in spring 2019.

The developer has said several architectural styles are being considered including Craftsman, Cottage, and colonial for the single-family homes. All homes would include large front porches, attached two-car garages, and outdoor entertainment space located between the garage and main living area, the letter said.

The three- and four-bedroom homes would range in size from about 1,700 to 2,400 square feet.

“The homes are designed to provide the size and functionality to support families including children of all ages,” the developer said. “Our research shows that residents who would otherwise choose to stay in Ferndale are moving to other areas to find suitable space to fit their lifestyle needs, including the needs of their growing families.”

Lyons said the developer has not yet determined whether the multifamily units will be condos or apartments.

Pinecrest is one of several residential projects proposed or under construction in Ferndale, Lyons said. Robertson Brothers Homes is developing the 72-unit Parkdale Townes townhomes on the former Taft school site. Robertson Brothers is also developing Wilson Park Village, with 28 single-family homes on the 4.2 acre former University High School site.

Local real estate broker Jim Shaffer said the Ferndale housing market is hot and there is an unfulfilled demand for single-family housing among younger, growing families.

“Many families who are choosing to stay within the Ferndale community are in need of larger floor plans due to their growing families,” Shaffer said.

“As the demand in the Ferndale market continues to increase, purchasers have had to fight bidding wars and multiple-offer situations in order to obtain a home in the city,” he said. “Many purchasers have been shopping in adjacent communities in order to stay close to Ferndale but face less competition in the housing market.”

Shaffer said projects like the Pinecrest proposal are “net positive for the community because they offer diverse housing options as well as additional tax revenue to the municipality.” But he said he would also “like to see developers focusing on options that can be built to meet affordability for all of Ferndale‘s residents.”

The southern part of the property would be developed in a second phase with mixed uses, such as office, commercial, light industrial and residential, the developer said.

Contact Steve Pepple at spepple@freepress.com or 313-222-6593