The Holly area might be enjoyed and known as a sleepy bedroom community for residents, but the area comprised of Holly Village, and the townships of Holly, Rose and Groveland, have been anything but sleepy in 2019.

This area continues to grow along with their neighboring cities like Fenton and Grand Blanc.

Big changes came to Holly Village as a new police chief was hired. Chief Michael Story resigned suddenly in August. Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh was hired and his first day was Dec. 9.

The Holly Fire Department moved to a new location in midtown with official occupancy in October. The project cost just under $500,000 and is twice the size of the former Broad Street location.

We accomplished a lot and made progress on so many projects, said Katy Golden, Holly Downtown Development Authority director and assistant village manager.

Holly Village acquired a $150,000 grant for the Union Depot project. The DDA offered matching funds to refresh the look of several downtown properties.

Ongoing projects in Holly Township achieved milestones, such as the heritage farmstead structural work that was needed before development could continue.

Less visual and exciting projects are nonetheless important and clear the way for more projects to come. Weve spent time with new ordinances, for the wind and solar, agro tourism, Supervisor George Kullis said. Hollys growing.

Some policies and procedures need to be updated to allow for growth to come, such as in the Dixie Highway corridor project. Were not going to be a sleepy little burg anymore, Kullis said.

The first resident in Riverside Gardens, of the Pulte subdivision moved in this October. Kullis said approximately 15 homes are under construction in the previously stalled subdivision.

Kullis said numerous meetings have been held to rebuild North Holly Road. Theyre also working to make it easier for residents to divide and sell land.

The Holly Oaks ORV Park is set to open in the summer of 2020 in Groveland Township. Administrative and on-site work continued in 2019, with the official name being chosen, and public and private events held on site.

There were several important projects in Rose Township that were either finished or made progress in 2019, according to Supervisor Dianne Scheib-Snider. Milford Road was completely repaved inside Rose Township and a new culvert was installed.

The hill at Mason Street at the Rose Township Hall was paved to prevent erosion. It was funded by the county, township and road commission.

The township acquired property at the back of the original town hall. This will clear the way to use the hall for an assembly building, much like a community center. We dont have anything like that in Rose Township, Scheib-Snider said. This will probably be the big project for this year.

In 2019, the Townships Board of Trustees approved the creation of a conservation committee to preserve the townships rural features.

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2019 YEAR IN REVIEW: Holly area progress and exciting projects - Fenton Tri County Times