Premier Academy denied second daycare center at Six Mile and Beck in Northville Township

Hometownlife.com

The site on the northwest corner of Six Mile and Beck where Premier Academy proposed constructing a new childcare facility. The Northville Township planning commission turned down a special land use request for the school at its July 26 meeting, saying it would not be a good fit in that part of town.

If a second Premier Academy is to open in Northville Township, it appears it won't happen at Six Mile and Beck roads.

The proposed childcare facility originally pitched earlier this year came back before the Northville Township planning commission July 26 after it had been postponed in the spring.

The plans called for a new building that could serve up to 200 kids, beginning with infants and going through pre-kindergarten. Some changes were made from the original plan, including dropping the building 18 inches to help with height issues with the surrounding neighborhood, as well as some changes to the building's location on the site and vegetation updates.

But while commissioners said they were supportive of such a concept, they said the location — the northwest corner of Six Mile and Beck — was not the right spot for such a development because of traffic and other issues.

"I really appreciate the effort to meet the demand for childcare in this area," said Commissioner Gary Yang. "If you pick a location that does not have impact, I would love to see you back here. I just feel like this area is not a good fit."

Angela Innaimo with Premier Academy, said other locations the school has in Rochester Hills and Oakland Township are in similar situations being near residential homes. She said another school in Northville Township would be successful, especially for those families looking for childcare.

"We feel very strongly that this is a great fit for our families," she said. "We take great pride into providing the be care possible and the best education for our little ones."

She said they could open a whole new facility with how many families are currently on a waitlist, highlighting the need for childcare in the area. She said most families that are enrolled with Premier Academy come from within a few miles of the building.

Premier Academy currently operates another center in Northville Township on Seven Mile west of Haggerty.

Like the March meeting, several residents spoke out against the development, saying they were concerned about the development and the traffic in the area that could increase because of it.

Many said they thought the development would be better farther away in locations such as Five Mile and Beck, where other businesses operate.

"The biggest concern is location, location, location," said Dave Sherman, who lives on nearby Lakeview Circle. "I think there's commercial property in a very close proximity that would be there (instead of) on this very busy corner."

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The planning commission, after originally postponing a decision last spring, voted unanimously to deny the special land use that was proposed.

Commissioner Jayne Watson said the roads are already congested plenty, and adding a commercial use along the road would cause more issues and be a problem.

"As someone noted from the last meeting, I did point out my concern about traffic. It's not just any traffic. It's eastbound traffic all the way from Ridge Road going all the way to the highway," she said. "Changes to the elevation don't change my concern."

A rendering of the proposed Premier Academy proposed at the corner of Six Mile and Beck roads in Northville Township.

Contact reporter David Veselenak at dveselenak@hometownlife.com or 734-678-6728. Follow him on Twitter @davidveselenak.