Plans developing in Marquette Township to expand an established condominium complex has few downsides that we can see.

Last week, the township Board of Trustees OK’d preliminary plans to expand the Blue Heron Bluffs II condo complex.

At the meeting, township Planner Jason McCarthy said the site condominium development was first approved in 2007 and all but one of its 18 current units are occupied.

Developers want to add an additional 55 acres to the north and west of its current location, on the east side of the Forestville Basin.

McCarthy said developers were only able to demonstrate adequate water supply to 10 of the proposed 18 units, but would likely continue additional test wells on the other units in future years as the project develops.

The units range in size from 1.18 acres to 4.85 acres, which is consistent with the developer’s original site, but the project is complicated by township ordinances that limit how small units can be.

“The planning commission has agreed to loosen their regulations for minimum lot size because (developers) have proposed to set aside 18 acres of that property for the benefit and use of all people in that area,” McCarthy said.

While township ordinances do allow for smaller parcels when common space is factored in, the property is zoned scenic residential, which requires a special use permit for development of anything smaller than a 2-acre parcel.

Marquette Township has been the location of a great deal of very positive development in recent years.

This project seems to continue that trend.