OCC Highland Lakes Updates

Updated June 20, 2025

UPDATE OCC Board Meeting held Tuesday, June 17th, 2025 at 6PM (OCC - Auburn Hills campus; RM#G240). Before the meeting commenced, Chancellor Provenzano approached Nancy C. & I to give us a heads up that he will be making comments regarding the OCC HL campus closure during the "Chancellor Comments" section of the agenda. He stated that "Phase 1" for transfer of ownership to Waterford Township for the portion of campus that is reserved for development of a new Community Center should be completed by the end of July 2025. Thereafter, the college will move into "Phase 2" planning for the remaining portions of the campus that they still own. They would like the residents of Waterford's input during this phase and will likely hold another Public Forum (as they did before the bond proposal for the new Waterford Community Center was executed) sometime this Fall 2025. I asked him if the Public Forum would be a better place to showcase our powerpoint presentation for the LWNR or if we should continue seeking a spot on the agenda at a regular board meeting for this presentation. He thinks the Public Forum would be a good place for the presentation (other COWL members think we should still seek out an agenda item at a regular board meeting, as well). I asked him about the June 2024 Board decision to seek rezoning of the Northern portion of the campus from Public Lands to Residential and what that was all about. He said that the Board approved the motion for him to have the single-handed ability to seek the rezoning when the time comes, if warranted. Then, he excused himself to go officially start the meeting.

The public comments section of the agenda occurs towards the beginning of the meeting. We had about 5 people speak in favor of protecting the LuEllen Woughter Nature Reserve (LWNR). A group of the coalition (COWL, ECW, 4 Towns, and the Sierra Clubs) had representation at the meeting. Also, there was a lot of representation from Farmington/Farmington Hills residents voicing their concerns regarding the LCHA proposition at the Orchard Ridge campus including the Mayor of Farmington and the former Mayor of Farmington. Sounds like most are in favor of the idea.

The Chancellor Comments section of the agenda was shortly after Public Comments. He commented on the future plans for the OCC HL campus, as promised. He reiterated the plan for Phase 1 and Phase 2 as stated above. He acknowledged that there is "a lot of nature there" (Northern portion of the campus) and that the first priority of Phase 2 will be to work on a "communications plan" with the residents of Waterford, and other concerned residents of the area, for this phase. Possible public forum to be held as early as this Fall 2025.

Please attend the upcoming meeting on June 23rd, details are on the home page. All are welcome~!!

Updated May 30, 2025

Louellen Woughter Nature Preserve Hike on Saturday, June 14th 9am - 11:30am

Please join us for a peaceful and meaningful hike through the Louellen Woughter Nature Reserve, a 57-acre natural sanctuary located on the north end of Oakland Community Colleges Highland Lakes campus in Waterford Township. This campus is closing and the college may sell the property to developers. Come learn about our efforts to save this beloved preserve. Invite friends, family and neighbors-!! All are Welcome~!! Mark your calendars~!! See You There~!!

7350 Cooley Lake Rd, Waterford Township, MI 48327, USA

Facebook Event Link:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1PcqktWvNa/

Meeting location:

Updated May 22, 2025

The OCC Board of Trustees meeting on May 20, 2025:

Below is a synopsis of the meeting per Jacquelynn Brown:

"I would like to give an update for what occurred at the OCC Board meeting conducted Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 at 6PM (OCC - Auburn Hills campus; RM#G240). The public comments section of the agenda occurs towards the beginning of the meeting. We had about 10 people speak in favor of protecting the LuEllen Woughter Nature Reserve (LWNR). A group of the coalition (COWL, ECW, 4 Towns, and the Sierra Clubs) had representation at the meeting. A few of us stayed all the way until the end of the meeting which was essential because of the discussions that occurred. Before the meeting closed, OCC Board Trustee Davis moved to form something like an "OCC Outreach Committee" that could work with the concerned residents of Waterford & Oakland County regarding the future use of the Northern portion of the OCC - HL campus. This motion appears to have been tabled until the project reaches Phase 2. As stated on record by OCC Chancellor Provenzano, Phase 1 for the sale of the OCC - HL campus is dedicated to the property ownership transition from OCC to Waterford Township. Once that phase is executed, OCC will move into Phase 2 of property disposal considerations which will include the Northern parcels of the property. As Phase 2 develops, the Chancellor of OCC encourages the motion for an outreach committee be revisited. Also, he states that preserving more greenspace during Phase 2 will be a high priority."

Below is information from the meeting per Steve Klein:

Around 7:12pm we got an update from budget people on the OCC Sale. They reiterated a couple things and wanted to clarify the remainder of the property is not for sale, they received "one" offer (from County Parks), and they did not say no, they just said not yet. They said the focus has been entirely on the Waterford Township purchase of the South section. So that's their official public position (I know there are many unofficial conversations going on that we don't know about). I might have missed a piece of info or two.

While this does not line up with the parcel map document and board motion last year laying the groundwork for the future residential (R1C) zoning of the nature reserve, OCC is a large organization with many moving parts and I trust the message they delivered to us is the truer representation of the intentions of the organization as a whole. Time will tell.

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