Copyright M Live Michigan
GRAND BLANC TWP, MI – Plans to open an event venue at a historic mansion in Genesee County have received approval to move forward. Grand Blanc Township board members approved the plans at an October meeting for the Auker Mansion property off Belsay Road. The township’s planning commission voted in September to recommend the township board approve a planned use development request from Cruwood LLC. for the property that’d give the real estate company added flexibility when it comes to future development. Cruwood is owned by Chelsie Welch and Corey Cunningham, who own and currently live on the property. The mansion sits on a 48.8-acre property, which is zoned R-3, or Residential Single Family. All surrounding properties are also zoned for residential use. Grand Blanc Township Planning and Zoning Administrator Jeremy Smith said at the board’s Oct. 14 meeting that the applicant intends to have a 100-person ballroom – previously a bedroom in the mansion -- used for a banquet hall and assembly use which would include small weddings. General commercial zoning is required for that type of use, Smith said, noting rezoning in not warranted for the property due to surrounding residential zoning districts. “However this property is very unique, and a PUD is another mechanism the township can grant in order to allow for specific uses when a rezoning is not applicable,” he said. Cunningham said the primary use for the venue would be weddings and they’ve worked with Smith to have uses that are appropriate under the existing zoning ordinances. “We’re trying to keep the area and the architectural feel the same as it is now, trying to be as little disruption as possible to the area,” he said. “We’ve wanted to do this with this house for quite a while, and we’re happy that we have the potential opportunity to do it.” The couple said they purchased the property in 2023 with the intention of flipping it, and they currently reside in the mansion. Cunningham and Welch began remodeling the mansion prior to submitting the site plan for the event venue. “They were allowed to do that because it was just bringing it back to its former glory,” Smith previously told MLive. The Auker Mansion was built in 1971 by real estate developer Elden Auker. The property features 20,000 square feet of living space, according to the Cruwood Home Facebook page. Cunningham said at the October meeting that they did have plans to construct another building on the property that could accommodate more than 100 people and approached Smith. “The way that it worked out, with the price of everything, we couldn’t build that structure yet,” he said, noting final blueprints would have to be approved moving forward. “I’m glad you’re bringing this property back to life,” board member Joel Feick said. “It’s a landmark locally. People know that place.” Cunningham added they would like to build a greenhouse structure off the side of the home, but still a part of it. Other plans include potential lodging, Cunningham said, such as space for members of a wedding party to stay over the weekend. They hope to have one event a week. I’ve seen the plans for the expansion, and it looks beautiful,” township Superintendent Scott Bennett said. “I think it would be a real asset to the township and to this region to have that here. It’s a beautiful home already. “To have it used for something like this that would bring people to our community, I think is really am asset and great use for the facility,” he said, adding, “People coming in and out for a wedding isn’t high traffic. I think it’s a great use and I look forward to you being successful there.” Welch previously said assuming plans for the event venue receive the necessary approval, the business would be expected to open in spring 2026.
