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If all goes well, said City Manager Dale Kerbyson, work on the project could be done close to the first of the year. He said he has signed affidavits from all but one of the property owners in the area. Kerbyson said if there are no protests, work to extend sewer and water service to roughly 300 acres of land annexed to the city's south side nearly a year ago could begin in October and be complete in three months.

The $11.04 million project will put 26,300 feet of water line and 16,000 of sewer line in the area. Representatives of several major property owners in the area spoke in favor of the Special Assessment District (SAD). One, Michael Jablonski, representing JBT Properties, asked that a sewer line be shifted to traverse his client's land.

Arthur Kimes, a West Bloomfield resident who identified himself as the representative of the courts and lenders for Crossroads Development, told commission members that Lowe's is still interested in building on the northeast corner of I-69 and M-24. Kimes told commission members "there's value to the community as well as the land owners" in approving the SAD.

Several small property owners along M-24 between the Michigan State Police Post and Turrill Road told commission members they'd like to see the existing sewer line extended south to their properties. Melanie Dicenso said she understands that while the city plans to extend water service to that area, it doesn't plan on putting in sewer unless one of the property owners is willing to foot the bill. She told commission members that since all the properties in that area range between one and one-and-a-half acres, no one property owner can afford that, but all of them are interested in sewer service.

"We do not want to be left out of sewer, while everyone gets it surrounding us," she said. Saying "there's a lot of misunderstanding" among property owners in the area, Dicenso told commission members that many of her neighboring property owners didn't realize they had to ask the city to bring in sewer lines.

"We just don't want to be left out on this sewer project," she said.

"I think the bus is getting ready to go and I want to buy a ticket and the ticket is both sewer and water" said Clare Longeria, a local insurance agent who owns land along M-24.

Kerbyson told commission members his office is trying to find a date that will work for his staff and the property owners to hold a meeting.

Phil Foley may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8148 or pfoley@lapeergroup.com.