City Planners To Review Lighted Sign Request for Vacant Lot
By Ryan Schlehuber

David Swope's request to erect a lighted advertisement sign on his empty property near Hillside House Restaurant on North State Street will be considered by St. Ignace Planning Commission once he submits a site plan. Commissioners, at a meeting Wednesday, June 20, also heard objections to the request.

Mr. Swope requested to erect an eight-foot-by-12-foot sign that would advertise his Budget Host Inn a half-mile south of the property, where the Northern Host motel once stood. The sign would stand near the sidewalk, close to the driveway leading to the Hillside House Restaurant.

Mr. Swope shares an uphill access easement with the owners of the restaurant, Judy and Jeff Childs, who attended the meeting and submitted a letter of opposition to the proposed sign. They argued that Mr. Swope has not kept up his property and, in the past, has been abrasive with them, threatening to tow their customers' vehicles when they parked on his property.

Mr. Swope, who said he did not want to be liable for a restaurant customer hurting him or herself on his property, has since installed "No Trespassing" signs that block entrance to his blacktopped parking lot.

Mrs. Childs also argued that the sign aims to divert business away from the area and would be an unattractive sight, owing to it being on an undeveloped lot.

"What is the town eventually going to look like, if signs go up all over vacant lots here?" she asked. "What kind of precedence are we setting?"

Mr. Swope's request follows requirements for the city's ordinance for off-premises signs, said Art Underwood, Planning Commission chairman. A review and approval by Planning Commission is one of those requirements.

Mr. Swope admitted to not keeping his property properly maintained, but, he said, he plans to maintain it as it will benefit his business, especially with a new sign there. He contended the sign will not block sight of Hillside House Restaurant.

"I'm trying to take advantage of my property, especially with heavy tax money I have to pay with no income coming in (from that property)," said Mr. Swope.

The commission took no action and awaits Mr. Swope's site plans for erecting the sign.

Mr. Swope did agree to Commissioner Fred Strich's suggestion to include a yearly review from the board after the sign is erected, if it is approved.

In an ongoing attempt to clean up and update the city's zoning ordinance, the commission, at the request of Building Inspector Paul Sved, allowed a residence in twofamily (R-2) and three-family (R- 3) residential districts to have a lot plus an outbuilding that can also be considered a dwelling, such as a detached garage with living quarters above it.

Mr. Sved explained this was allowed before the city's zoning ordinance was updated in 2005. He was unsure how the language in the ordinance was changed.

The updated version of an added dwelling unit on a lot stated, "No buildings to the rear of the principal buildings on the same lot shall be used for residential purposes in the R-2 District."

"This, in effect, outlaws having a home plus a garage with living quarters upstairs in the R-2 District," Mr. Sved said.

Commissioners agreed to remove the word "rear" from the statement, which would allow garages to have dwellings upstairs in R-2 and R-3 districts. Many garages are located in the rear of homes in St. Ignace.

Commission briefly discussed details that should be included in a new communication tower and antennae ordinance, including where in the city limits towers should and should not be allowed.

City Manager Eric Dodson said he will write a draft ordinance that will include permanent and temporary towers and antennas.

Planning Commission's next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 18.