The Dexter school district is moving ahead with plans to expand its bus depot on Marshall Lakes Drive, plans that concern some homeowners in the area.

The estimated $1.5 million project still must receive county approval for its construction plans, which would build out security fencing to the facility’s lot lines, black top the site, build a bus-washing facility and add employee parking.

Sean Burton, the school district's transportation director, said there are two major reasons for the expansion.

"We have our employees parking right next to the road now, and we're trying to provide a better spot for them," he said, referring to as many as 50 employees on any given day. "The longevity of our buses is our other main concern. When they sit all winter on ice and snow, the ground retains moisture and we see a lot of rust and other issues on the underside of the buses. We want to get the greatest amount of use out of them."

Currently, the bus parking lot is grass and gravel.

Homeowners in Marshall Lakes, which consists of 10 homes and several vacant lots, first heard about the expansion at a meeting with school officials in early May.

"The four homeowners who attended the meeting thought the plan was an economic, aesthetic and ecological disaster," said George Lockett, who is one of those homeowners. "The impact of the reconfigured bus depot on the adjacent homes' real estate values will be significant and completely negative."

Currently, the bus depot is mostly hidden from view on Marshall Lakes Drive. The proposed plan includes taking down some trees, which residents say have provided a buffer from noise. One of the trees on the property, an oak, is the biggest in the neighborhood.

"We all moved here knowing that (the bus depot) was there, but the trees and growth kept it secluded," said homeowner Robert Berkebile, whose property borders the school district's property. "You look at this view and it would be destroyed by an 8-foot fence."

"The expansion will create more noise and bus pollution," added his wife, Heather Berkebile.

The Berkebiles and Lockett describe the neighborhood as a wildlife area with wetlands and a lake. They are also concerned about how the building plans could affect everyone's well water.

Mary Marshall, superintendent of the Dexter school district, said the district wants to work with the residents of the neighborhood. She said the district is moving the location of a stormwater retention pond so that the oak tree does not have to come down, a plan she reiterated at a school board meeting June 2.

She also said that on the east side of the property, the district can pull the fence back 10 feet and would plant trees outside the fence line as a screen.

"We were hoping to have most of the work completed this summer, but we may end up starting later than we hoped," said Marshall. "Once we have the approvals, it will turn around fast."

The money for the project is coming from a bond that was specifically designated for upgrading the bus facility.

Lisa Carolin is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at 734-623-2530 or news@annarbor.com.