Michigan Islamic Academy seeks to build new school on Ellsworth in Pittsfield Township
Ann Arbor’s Michigan Islamic Academy wants to build a new school in Pittsfield Township, where it also would have room to build a community center in future years.
The private school would have capacity for 360 students from pre-kindergarten through high school, giving the school - now based on Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor - enough room to expand in lower grades and eventually close the existing facility.
The school, now based in the Muslim Community Association of Ann Arbor, now has 198 students enrolled, according to building staff.
The location sought for the new school is a 26-acre parcel on the south side of Ellsworth Road where Golfside Road meets Ellsworth. The property is between Roundtree Apartments and the Ypsilanti Township border to the east, and homes in the Silverleaf subdivision to the west.
The school, said Pittsfield Township planner Paul Montagno, is seeking a rezoning from residential use to allow for the school. The property is the last part of the original 120-acre Silverleaf site that was not developed.
The Pittsfield Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposal at its next meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Township Hall, Michigan Avenue at Platt Road.
The plans show the single-story school building built at the rear of the irregular-shaped lot that also includes wetlands that was set aside to serve the full subdivision.
Using the property for a school is allowed in residential districts, Montagno said.
“If anything, we’ll be making suggestions as far as layout to the site,” he said.
A planning report on the proposal noted that operating a school at the end of a single drive to the rear of the property left no other options for emergency access. Another concern was the configuration of the drive and parking, since all vehicle traffic would go through the parking area.
Planners also noted that the school building was just 50 feet from a home on Saffron Drive, so the location could impact the residential area, and that significant grading and tree removal would need to take place.
School officials did not return calls seeking comment.
However, staff indicated that the school would like to break ground by fall.
The Michigan Islamic Center previously announced plans to expand its existing building in Ann Arbor. The $1.8 million project would add 8 classrooms and a gymnasium. Unclear is whether that efforts continues.
Comments
Trepang674
Fri, Jan 14, 2011 : 7:29 a.m.
Why strain to put a school and at some point a Community Center into a difficult lot w/ wetlands. Like they are trying to hide in a resdentail neighborhood or something. Too many good reasons to utilize other closed schools and start the renovation of existing areas that have the approvals and zoning in place...
Basic Bob
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 8:25 p.m.
The drawback to this parcel is the entrance across from Golfside Road. As Golfside is on the township boundary, a property on the south side must have an angled or offset driveway in order to meet up with the existing road. This will adversely affect the existing intersection, which is already operating poorly at times. On the Ypsilanti township side of the property, the Roundtree apartments are built right up to the township line, so a straight entrance onto the property is not possible. Of course I don't have a PhD in Urban Planning, so we will have to wait for the township supervisor to interpret the "2010" Pittsfield Plan for us.
annie
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 4:50 p.m.
@johnnya2 I have live on Ellsworth Rd. for 18+ year and I work on Carpenter. and seen the housing development bloom as well the little strip mall in front of Wal-Mart when it was built. They site they want to built is just to small for what they want done. And NO I don't think I should have to be the one to move.
YpsiLivin
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 1:58 p.m.
The lot seems a little small for what they're planning. Perhaps a better site choice (size-wise) would be the land adjacent to Wal-Mart, if it's available.
Golden Girl
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 1:13 p.m.
The lot seems too small to accommodate both the school and the future community center and prayer hall. Page three of the site plan shows the future phase beong built on the corner of Ellsworth and Golfside. See the site plan drawings at the link below. http://www.pittsfieldtwp.org/RZ-10-04-Michigan-Islamic-Academy-2010-12-08.pdf
AdmiralMoose
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 1:04 p.m.
@YpsiLivin Read the article. It says: "The first time, the board worked for several months to broker a deal, at one point accepting a $3.9 million offer. However, financing fell through and the group's last offer was $3 million, payable in two installments. The board rejected that offer as well." Note that the offers decreased every time -- I supported their rejections.
hwplohr
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 1 p.m.
Tell me. Does this take another tax paying property off the tax rolls?
longtime AA
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 12:50 p.m.
The traffic at Fortis often clogs Golfside and even backs up onto Ellsworth at certain times of the day. Maybe this will be the impetus to fix this intersection, and get Fortis to better control its traffic problems. With plans to do something with Golfside from Washtenaw to St. Joe's, now is the time to do Golfside completely. It is becoming a main artery now, but is inadequate and in bad conditon. If the new school goes in, and the addition of new homes in Silverleaf (now being built) it is time to do things comprehensively, not piecemeal.
johnnya2
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 12:49 p.m.
i always love how people seem to want to tell others where and what they should do "buy such and such property". How do you know it is available? How do you know what the cost was? Typical of those who want THEIR lives to be made easier because they feel entitled to tell others what to do with their property. How about this. If you do not like it, YOU MOVE.
YpsiLivin
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.
Admiral Moose, YPS did not agree to sell Ardis to the MIA. They rejected MIA's offer of $2.3 million, saying it was "too low." http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2009/06/ypsilanti_school_board_rejects.html
AdmiralMoose
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 12:30 p.m.
FYI, the closed school buildings in Ypsilanti are not for sale and all are, in fact, occupied. Ardis, the closed school on the corner of Ellsworth and Hewitt, now houses New Tech High School. Ironically, YPS had agreed to sell the building for use as an Islamic school but the buyer's funding fell through.
YpsiLivin
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 12:22 p.m.
Amazon Warrior, The MIA attempted to purchase the old Ardis Elementary building, and was turned down by the school district. The school district has since "repurposed" Ardis and will be using it for the New Tech High School that's set to open in the Fall. The former Chapelle Elementary building is used for the YPS Adult Education Program and COPE. Forest (located at the old George Elementary) is used as a day treatment facility for emotionally impaired children. East Middle is going to house the new WISD high school. Victory Academy occupies the old Forest Elementary. Adams has been converted in to Adams STEM Academy. Fortis Academy occupies the old Spiritus Sanctus facility on Golfside. The UAW-Ford Family Center at the end of S. Hewitt is at least partially occupied/rented. What "existing schools" are you referring to? YPS has already made it clear that it won't sell to MIA and aside from the old Faithway Baptist (and even older St. John the Baptist) school on Packard, I can't think of an empty school in the area. Can you?
glimmertwin
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 12:21 p.m.
>> Why can't they purchase one of the existing schools that has been closed? Didn't they already try that on Ellsworth near Hewitt? There was/(is?) an empty school there that the Muslim school wanted to purchase a while back. There was complaining on this site over that idea. I'm starting to think there is some other reason why people don't want a Muslim school in this area. I say, it's a great idea - responsible landowners on Ellsworth are getting harder and harder to find.
Cerveza
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : noon
>Isn't that nice big school on W. Michigan Ave (the former >Ford/Visteon daycare) still up for sale? Seems like a better fit for >traffic flow, with room to expand. Or has that building been >purchased? No... Another group of "Muslim's" took that over for a visiting nurses office. They need to seriously investigate that group running that office.
abc
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 11:50 a.m.
Just a few miles easet http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/historic-ypsilanti-church-up-for-sale/
YPboyWRheart
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 11:22 a.m.
Amazon warrior is right,buy an empty school. There are so many.
Kboogy
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 11:06 a.m.
amazonwarrior, very good point. If they go east up the street there's an old Ypsi school that has been closed for years. I bet they could work out a deal to buy that lot and there's plenty of room for expansion. It would still be a traffic nightmare, but at least the space would be good.
K Thompson
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 11:03 a.m.
@IheartYpsi Good point about the former Ford property - it's already 'school-like'with room for expansion for recreation center,etc.
amazonwarrior
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 11:01 a.m.
If Menards doesn't fit in with the townships "master plan", neither does this. Why can't they purchase one of the existing schools that has been closed?
Soothslayer
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 10:42 a.m.
Yes. This is a good idea and will be a benefit and boon to the entire community.
Maple
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 10:24 a.m.
FTR I'm Muslim, and I attend MCA, (although do not send my kids to MIA). I think the lot is too small. Many of us in the Muslim community are sick of being confined to small lots and small buildings that can't handle expansion and large amounts of traffic/parking needs. I hope they do not mean that they want to build a "community center" on the same property. That would be a nightmare. Already we have problems with space and parking and everything else at MCA because the community center/mosque is on the same property as the school. I hope they meant they want to build a community center in Pittsfield Twp. There are so many of us living in Pittsfield and we all have to commute up 23 to MCA or to a small facility in Ypsi. I do think there will be a lot of issues will arise from the combination of Fortis traffic and another school. As far as a house on Saffron drive, Saffron drive does not exist, it was never built although it does show up on some maps. It was supposed to be located in the lot now being discussed. Any houses that back to the property are on Persimmon Drive. I have little sympathy, however, for anyone who buys a house backing to undeveloped, unprotected land. I would never do it myself because I always assume that it could be developed into anything at all whether I like it or not.
annie
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:59 a.m.
@clownfish I would have a problem if it was any religious group trying to build there. Anything other then residential homes should not be allow. I agree with @IheartYpsi that big school on W. Michigan Ave (the former Ford/Visteon daycare) would be better location for their school/Muslim center.
clownfish
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:59 a.m.
Rusty, you may be correct. But, on these pages I read the same kind of nonsense coming out of New York. I do not know if those posting those comments live in MI, as this blog does collect A2 ex-pats from around the country.
Kboogy
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:46 a.m.
I live in a condo in Roundtree and my daughter goes to Fortis. Traffic in the mornings and afternoons is horrible on Ellsworth and Golfside. Parents dropping their kids off do not use good judgement or follow the guidelines for dropoff or pickup. I can only imagine what traffic will be like with another school with more activities meaning more cars and people in the area late into the evenings. I agree about the center on MI Ave if it isn't being used for something else.
rusty shackelford
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:39 a.m.
clownfish, as I'm sure you're aware, Michiganders have a long history of treating our Muslim fellow citizens with respect and civility due to anyone. The same can't always be said for New York, Tennessee, etc.
clownfish
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:36 a.m.
Pleasantly surprised that (so far) there are no cries of "Hallowed Ground" or "keep out the Muslims" on this thread. Maybe this answers the question of how far does a Muslim education center have to be from New York before people will grant Muslims the same rights as other religions. I am wondering, if this moves forward will we see protests like were seen in other parts of the country. (Temecula, Chicago etc)
rusty shackelford
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:36 a.m.
Paula, could you clarify the article for me? On the one hand it implies that some kind of rezoning is needed, but it also states that use of the property as a school is permitted under residential zoning. What's going on?
clownfish
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:28 a.m.
Which creates more traffic, housing or a school? 26 acres, some with wetlands, could hold maybe 80 houses (4/acre, 20 acres available). That could be up to 200 + car trips/day. Those trips would be concentrated in the am/pm rush hours, but also spread out a little more than pick up/drop off times at a school. Anybody know the true answers to this question?
IheartYpsi
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:23 a.m.
Isn't that nice big school on W. Michigan Ave (the former Ford/Visteon daycare) still up for sale? Seems like a better fit for traffic flow, with room to expand. Or has that building been purchased?
aanative
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:21 a.m.
@Bob: It's quite reasonable and common for neighbors to express concerns when new construction is introduced, particularly one that requires rezoning. Why assume that religion has anything to do with it?
Barb
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:11 a.m.
@annie, I live near near 2 schools in A2 and I agree that while traffic is crazy in the morning, that's sorta the nature of living in a place where there are lots of options for schools. People drive their kids there. Big deal. It's for a short period of time. It's not the end of the world...
Barb
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:06 a.m.
If I may be so bold to speak for @YPboyWRheart, I would assumed he says "No," because that would be too close to the site of the former World Trade Center.
annie
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:03 a.m.
@Bob Krzewinski I have call the Fortis Academy about the traffic jams the parent cause, and they never respondent back, That why I had wish I had paid attention more when it was in the planing stage. And do you live on Ellsworth or Golfside? I do and it a nightmare to get to work, and I either have to go down Ellsworth or Golfside to get to my job on Carpenter Rd.
Bob Krzewinski
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 8:54 a.m.
Here we go again. With a Muslim school being planned for an area, all of a sudden so many people become suddenly concerned about "traffic" or "noise" in the area.
annie
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 8:37 a.m.
That a big No! No! No! to their school. The traffic is already bad on Ellsworth and Golfside, Because of that other school, I wish I would have protest more about it. And before anybody says anything about not liking Muslim, I would protest anything begin built there other then residential house. And shame on Paul Montagno.
jmac
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 8:24 a.m.
I hope the Planning Commission takes access issues seriously. Ellsworth has become a major artery and school traffic - with busses, cars, kids crossing the street - will be heavy in the morning and mid-afternoon. I also don't like the idea of having only one driveway (one access point) for security/safety reasons and personally would not allow a site plan to move forward with that configuration.
Chris Blackstone
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 8:16 a.m.
Are there any concerns about having 2 schools so close together? Fortis Academy is just across Ellsworth and that could make for lots of traffic before and after school.
Urban Sombrero
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 8:08 a.m.
I'd have a real problem if I were the homeowner whose house they want to build next to. Schools are noisy! That would bug me to death. Otherwise, I'd have no problems with this. If they have the need to expand, they should be allowed to. Maybe just not right next to someone's house. (Unless they're OK with it, that is. I don't know.)
Ricebrnr
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 7:07 a.m.
Dare i ask why no?
SMAIVE
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 7:06 a.m.
So what about the orginal site plan for the housing development? Was the swamp considered part of the "green space" or tied to its approval
YPboyWRheart
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 6:53 a.m.
No.