Island's Bayfront Hotel Project Is Abandoned Due to Sewer Moratorium
By Karen Gould

A proposed three-story, 47- room hotel project slated to begin this fall on Mackinac Island has been abandoned. In a letter to City Council, developer Ira Green said the Island's sewer moratorium concerned investors and banks, jeopardizing the venture. The letter was read at Council's Wednesday, October 10, meeting.

"They feel that the moratorium may hamper our ability to react to market changes by adjusting project size in a timely fashion," wrote Mr. Green, who did not attend the meeting.

He asked the city to refund his building and sewer permit fees. In December 2006, Mr. Green purchased the year's remaining Residential Equivalent Units (REU) allocation, acquiring 6.1 REUs for $32,672. On January 3, 2007, he bought an additional 3.35 REUs for $18,716.

One REU is equal to the water use of 2.8 hotel rooms.

The city does not refund building permit payments, said Council, which passed along the refund request to the Department of Public Works, which handles REU allocations.

Construction of the Bayfront Hotel was planned on the site of Ty and Ling's convenience store on Main Street in the Mission District. The project was approved by the Planning Commission last fall.

In August, the city imposed a 180-day sewer moratorium, freezing all Island expansion until the end of January. The city has 2.46 REUs remaining for the year.

The Island, already in the third year of a limited 15-REU annual allocation program, is dealing with a wastewater treatment facility that is expected to reach capacity in three years. An engineering firm has been hired to evaluate the Island's situation and is expected to furnish an interim report next month.

In other business, the Planning Commission referred two zoning variance requests to the Zoning Board of Appeals for approval. Betty BeDour is seeking to add a third apartment to an existing twoapartment structure at 1252 Mission Street. Debra and Sandra Orr are planning to construct a home on Cadotte Avenue, which would require a rear yard setback variance. Public hearings were set for November 7, with Mrs. BeDour's scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. and the Orrs' request at 4:30 p.m.

David Cutsinger, who earlier had made a rezoning request for a French Lane property, may withdraw his request and reapply next year, following the city attorney's suggestion, because City Council members preferred not to table the request until June. Mr. Cutsinger, who wants to change his property from R-3 high density residential to historic zoning, which would allow him to offer weekly room rentals, had sought to have the original request deferred until June.

The city agreed to make a final payment of $3,247 for video arraignment equipment. Total cost to the city was $8,247, although it had budgeted $5,000. 92nd District Court and Mackinac County also contributed to the equipment cost. The program was designed to save money by reducing the need to transport all Mackinac Island inmates to hearings in St. Ignace by eliminating police escorts and transportation costs.

Council approved the reclassification and transfer of the Mustang Lounge's liquor license. The license will be a Resort Class-C rather than Resort B-Hotel, accounting for the new owners living above the establishment. The transfer will be from Brodeur's Mustang Lounge, Inc. to Mustang Lounge Entertainment.

Council also approved 27 temporary motor vehicle permits during the meeting.

Paving roads in the state park by Payne and Dolan, Inc. required the approval of 20 temporary motor vehicle permits, which council granted.

One permit was issued to Butler Telecom of Saginaw to bury cable for AT&T at seven locations including Trinity Church, Maple View, the Island House, and the residences of Gary Cousino, Michael Kenemoth, Richard Coates, and Gerald Padilla. Council approved the request following approval of the Miss Dig System to make sure no underground lines are disturbed.

Lester Septic of St. Ignace was issued a permit for a tanker truck to empty septic systems, mainly in Harrisonville.

Three temporary motor vehicle permits were issued to Mission Point Resort to fill propane tanks and to deliver and pick up dumpsters for construction debris from the Beaver Dock.

Phil and Lee's Homes of Wells were issued two temporary motor vehicle permits to set nine sections of the Sherry and Tim Plutchak home in place in the Forest Ridge subdivision. A representative from the business attended the meeting and Council expressed concerns over street blockage, damage to trees, and staging areas. While the city approved the permits, Council noted that not all the streets needed to transport the sections were city owned and the permit given by the city was only for use of city roads. The city also the company to contact the Chief of Police at least one week before delivering the home to the Island to help address any street blockages that could impact emergency access.

The city accepted the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Solid Waste Management Plan, which had been reviewed by Mr. Evashevski.

A letter from Kathi Wightman, who is chairing the city's flower basket program, acknowledged the city's contribution to the fund. Mayor Margaret Doud asked 30 residents attending the council meeting to consider making a donation for the flower baskets that hang from city lampposts through the warmer months. The program costs approximately $12,000 each year, she said, and only half of next year's needed funding is in place.

During public comment, Susan Lenfestey expressed concern over the water quality of the Great Lakes in this area. She asked that water quality be kept in mind as the city explores future options for the wastewater treatment facility. With approximately 30% of the Island on septic systems and two systems on the beach, she suggested planners seek ways to protect the water around the Island.

Council next meets Wednesday, October 24, at 5 p.m. in Council Chambers in Community Hall on Market Street.