ALAIEDON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — People who live on Dart Road say they feel a little blindsided by it.
After Dart Energy listed property for sale, residents say they are leery of a potential buyer: DBT Institute of Michigan, which is a mental health center.
Their main concerns are for their safety and property values if it goes through.
"There was a written notice in the mail about a public hearing, its this piece of paper right here," Steve Schuptar, who lives on Dart Road said.
People on Dart Road got the notice on Dec. 22nd about the request. Dart Energy Corporation owns the property and wants Alaiedon Township to approve a "Special Use Permit" for it. Dart has the land up for sale.
"Now that Dart Energy wants to sell the property to someone else, and at the same time drastically change its use...then there are some understandable concerns," Schuptar said.
The special use permit would allow the zoning to be changed so the property could be used for the mental health and counseling center. The potential buyer, DBT Institute of Michigan, says the center would have "some overnight residents" and "up to 20 beds."
"There's the potential there that would appear to be the increased potential incidents of dangerous behavior. You obviously cannot completely eliminate that, but typically you would think about putting those facilities where there are zoning and geographical buffers," Schuptar said.
Schuptar is also worried about his property value.
"The unknown and whether or not it will have an impact on property values and safety, all of those things."
Other people on the road echoed Schuptar's concerns but didn't want to go on camera. They say they just want answers.
"If we act as responsible citizens and get involved in our local government, then I hope that the people we elected will be responsive to our concerns."
FOX 47 News reached out to both Dart Energy and DBT Institute of Michigan. The real estate company representing the property said the concerns will be heard the meeting Monday night.
FOX 47 News will have an update on this story at 11:00.
