Oko Posts

Township Shifts to ‘Legally Required’ Communication Policy

On September 14, 2026, Supervisor Ric Davis posted a “Levy Update” on the Springfield Township website regarding the pending Burroughs/Levy gravel mine application [View Levy Update Page]. The update reiterates that the application is still paused and the Township is waiting for Levy to provide further information requested, but it raised new questions & concerns

Recall Language for Supervisor Ric Davis Not Approved

On Wednesday, September 9, the Oakland County Election Commission held a public hearing to review proposed recall language filed against Springfield Township Supervisor Ric Davis. The Commission determined that the proposed language met the factual requirement, but ultimately voted not to approve the petition because members did not believe the wording was sufficiently clear. Under

Data Center Concerns Addressed at Aug 25 Springfield Township Planning Commission Meeting

Residents packed Springfield Township Hall for the August 25, 2026 Planning Commission meeting, with attendance pushing the building’s capacity and some residents left standing in the hallway or outside. Much of the concern followed social media posts that were not fully informed and, in some cases, incorrectly described what was happening with Springfield Township’s data

Township Special Counsel Responds to STEP’s Letter; Springfield’s Mining Process Shows Opportunity for Improvement

On August 13, Springfield Township Environmental Protectors (STEP) submitted a formal letter asking the Township Board to immediately move the paused Levy/Burroughs Materials Corporation special land use application to a formal vote and reject it. In an accompanying letter, STEP’s attorney, Ryan Richardville, went further, stating that “denial of the application is warranted” in part

New Details Surface About Springfield Township Data Center Proposal

A recent Clarkston News article about Independence Township’s new six-month data center moratorium included two striking details about Springfield Township that Oko Environmental had not previously encountered. According to the Clarkston News, Independence Township Supervisor Chuck Phyle described the potential Springfield Township data center as a $6 billion development. This is a figure Oko Environmental

Township Corrects Data Center Meeting Record to Include Levy Representative

Springfield Township has taken a step to implement actual transparency by correcting the attendance record for the December 15, 2025 Data Centers Pre-Application Meeting. Oko Environmental previously raised concerns several times through Public Comment at Board meetings, written requests, and a meeting with a Township Official, that Reuben Maxbauer, a representative of the Edw. C.

Rose Township Residents Show the Power of Public Participation

I would like to sincerely thank the Rose Township Supervisor Brad Stilwell, Trustee Debra Bourdeau, and the Board of Trustees for inviting me to speak with residents about the proposed Levy/Burroughs Materials sand and gravel mine on Ormond Road. The presentation was part of Rose Township’s “Neighbor to Neighbor” meeting series, which creates an opportunity

July 28, 2026 Letter to Springfield Township Planning Commission

At the July 28, 2026 Springfield Township Planning Commission meeting, each commissioner and the Carlisle|Wortman representatives in attendance received a letter from Oko Environmental requesting more complete monthly updates on the Levy/Burroughs Materials Corporation application. Current reports have provided little information beyond stating that revised application materials have not been submitted. Meanwhile, well installation, road

EGLE Posts First Detailed Well Record for Levy’s Ormond Road Property

Oakland County approved permits for two groundwater-testing wells on the proposed Burroughs Materials Corporation/Levy mining property in December 2025. EGLE has now posted the completed record for the first observation well, providing new information about its construction, groundwater level and the underground materials encountered to a depth of 476 feet. The original permits, completed well

Bulldozer Delivery at Ormond Road

Today, as I was driving down Ormond Road admiring the scenic route, a flash of construction yellow caught my eye. A bulldozer had been delivered to the Ormond Road property. I stopped to confirm what I had seen and photographed the equipment from the roadway. Then I went on the hunt for more information on

The Data Center Disconnect

At last week’s Planning Commission meeting, Chair Brian Galley stated that he was not aware of any data center inquiries and described the Township’s involvement with Data Centers as a general phone call asking about zoning. That is not consistent with the Township’s own public update from April 3, 2026, which states that Springfield Township

June 2026 Levy Mining Update: Another Swing and a Miss

On June 23, 2026, The Springfield Township Planning Commission received another monthly update on the Levy/BMC mining application for the proposed Ormond Road sand and gravel mine. Unfortunately, this update missed the mark. Again. According to the June 15 update from Carlisle/Wortman, there have been no meetings between Township officials or consultants and the applicant

My First List for Superintendent Piper

Looking back over the past year, Springfield Township has gone through a lot of changes and shifts in how it handles large, controversial land-use proposals. It is no secret that the Township has not made this an easy process to follow along. Residents have endured hot meetings, both literally and metaphorically, with raised voices, interruptions,

Township Adds New ‘Carlisle Wortman Updates’ Page for Gravel Mine Application Section

After months of limited public communication about the proposed Levy/Burroughs Materials gravel mine on Ormond Road, there is finally a new update area on the Springfield Township website. A new Carlisle Wortman update page has been added under the Gravel Mine Application section of the Township website. As of now, the page includes three documents:

The 2026 May Monthly Levy Update: Nada

At the May 26, 2026 Springfield Township Planning Commission meeting, Township Planner Megan Masson-Minock of Carlisle Wortman provided the latest monthly update regarding the Levy/Burroughs Materials Corporation application for the proposed sand and gravel mine on Ormond Road. There does not appear to be any new substantive information from Levy/Burroughs at this time. On pages