Kathleen Peterson’s project to build a 20-bed assisted living facility for senior citizens is one step closer to completion after the St. Ignace City Council, at its regular meeting Tuesday, September 6, approved her request to change the zoning of the 4.37 acres of property from Tourist Business to Special Land Use.

Mrs. Peterson plans to demolish the existing house and build a new facility. The property is between Chambers Street and Church Street.

Mrs. Peterson, whose company is called Dignified Living Corporation, said she is seeking funding through U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

An inventory of motor homes or trailers on six city lots, put together by City Building Inspector Paul Sved, was sent to the Planning Commission for review. The city is contemplating passing an ordinance on the use of motor homes as dwellings on city lots. One piece of property, owned by a boat line, contains two fifth-wheels and a motor home, and another, owned by a service organization, had up to five trailers parked behind a building this summer. At least some of the trailers are being used for prolonged living, Mr. Sved said, and one person, appearing in 92nd District Court in July, gave his trailer as his home address.

The Planning Commission will review the matter further at its regular meeting Wednesday, September 21.

So far, the city has generated $11,000 toward the erection of the lighthouse at the former Chief Wawatam dock. City Manager Gary Heckman said the response for donations has not been overwhelming.

The project’s overall cost is $50,000, with half of that coming from a match grant provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Mr. Elmer said he has a list of contacts he is personally going to ask for donations. He said there should not be a problem for the city to raise its side of $25,000 for the project.

Council introduced a new codified ordinance that will combine all city ordinances into 38 chapters and repeal any old ordinances no longer applicable. Ordinance 603 allows for such codification, which is being done by the Municipal Code Corporation as a Code of Ordinances. The City of Mackinac Island did the same thing in 2002.

Ordinance 603, which is expected to be adopted at Councils September 19 meeting, also sets a penalty of up to $500 and jail time for any ordinance violation not otherwise specified.

Council agreed to renew the taxi cab license of Julio “Kip” Rodriquez. Under Ordinance 363, it has the right to hire and approve any applicant choosing to drive a taxi within the city.

City Assessor and Marina Liaison Gene Elmer told council that he received a letter from Great Lakes Cruising Club praising the city’s marina and staff for its great turn-out during its convention at the marina earlier this summer.

“They said they have had seven of these conventions and said this one is going in the history books as the best one yet, and they will be back,” said Mr. Elmer.