FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) – An American Indian tribe that’s planning a casino in western Michigan says it wants to develop a community of about 300 housing units on 120 acres of land it bought this year from a school district.

The Muskegon Chronicle reports that plans by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians for the land in Muskegon County’s Fruitport Township should be finalized within the next few months.

The development would include smaller homes for young couples or retirees and energy-efficient houses for families. Walking trails, wildlife corridors, gazebos, parks, water features and common areas will make up a quarter of the development.

Tribal Ogema Larry Romanelli says the first homes could go up as early as next spring. The tribe’s proposed casino is about 2 miles away.

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Information from: The Muskegon Chronicle, http://www.mlive.com/muskegon