Mackinaw City OK's Land Sale for New Housing Project
By Paul Gingras

To set the stage for an affordable housing complex in Mackinaw City, the village council voted unanimously to authorize the development of a private land sale ordinance to sell a piece of villageowned property at its regular meeting Thursday, January 4. It was considered a pivotal vote for the future of the proposed 32-unit apartment complex, which planners hope will be instrumental in ensuring the social and economic vitality of the village.

For $103,274.40, developer Gerald Haan of Phoenix Holding Group is almost certain to receive the 129,093 feet of property he wants to create Mackinaw City Family Apartments. The property is behind Mackinaw City Public Schools.

Council must complete two readings of the ordinance prior to its final vote to sell the land, but Village President Robert Heilman said the decision to draw up the ordinance reflects the desire of the council to bring the apartment complex to Mackinaw City. Village Manager Jeff Lawson said he expects approval of the land transaction in February. Ground breaking could begin as early as spring, he added.

At the meeting, several council members addressed the public and explained how they felt the project would affect Mackinaw City, notably trustees Sandra Planisek and James Alford, who took opposite views on its impact.

Mr. Alford, who believes the project will have a positive impact, explained that after attending meetings on the subject for several years, and examining a number of housing studies, he was swayed by a consensus that affordable housing is needed to attract a year-around work force. All data collected by the village reflects this, he said, and residents have called on the council to help create more decent-paying jobs in Mackinaw City. For businesses to consider locating in the village, however, their workers will require affordable housing, and Mr. Alford said he hopes the project will attract the larger year-around work force new businesses will need.

Mr. Alford emphasized that he supports the apartment complex because it is an affordable housing project, as opposed to a low income project. Affordable housing is built by private developers who receive state-sponsored financing, which enables them to offer lower rents to people who earn less than the average income in a certain area.

Low-income housing projects, on the other hand, he said, sometimes provides government vouchers to assist tenants in paying their rent.

Not everyone in Mackinaw City has been enthusiastic about the development, however. Trustee Sandra Planisek insisted that the project is too large, would unnecessarily double the number of multiple family housing units in the area, and ultimately reduce the values of existing rental properties in Mackinaw City.

Owing to personal ties to the rental community, she at first declined to vote on the project because it would be a conflict of interest to do so. She tired to abstain from the vote, but President Heilman ordered her to vote, citing the Incompatible Public Offices Act of 1978.

The conclusion of the council discussion that followed was that Mrs. Planisek did not have a conflict of interest regarding Mr. Haan's project, since she did not stand to profit directly from it.

Mrs. Planisek then voted in favor of the land sale.

Much of the council's discussions about Mackinaw City Family Apartments has revolved around the potential to attract young families to the community. This would benefit Mackinaw City Public Schools, council members said.

The school district is run primarily on money produced through millages, rather than per-pupil funding from the state, so it would not profit directly from an influx of students. However, the superintendent informed the council that the district could handle new students.

Council also unanimously approved a special use permit and Mr. Haan's site plan.

Council also discussed landscaping within buffer zones around Mackinaw City Family Apartments. Aesthetically pleasing borders were required as a condition for approving the special use permit. The setbacks are 40 feet wide along roads bordering the project, and for the most part, these will be natural, treefilled areas, Mr. Lawson said. Therefore, the details of the buffer zones were referred to the Mackinaw City Tree Board for approval. The Tree Board will ensure that there are appropriate, aesthetically pleasing borders between the housing complex and nearby properties, Mr. Heilman said.

Council also discussed access routes to the apartments for fire fighting vehicles.

Several council members acknowledged that the affordable housing project will not take care of all of the village's needs, nor is anyone certain how the project will turn out in the long run, but in response to questions from the pubic, Mr. Alford said, "We have to start somewhere . . . The village has to remain vibrant," and to do so, "it needs a good mix of people."