A resolution of intent to establish a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was adopted by the Clark Township board Thursday, September 18. The support came at the urging of resident Rick Shapero. A public hearing is planned for January 8, 2009, to review the area that would be included in the DDA district and a proposed ordinance that would create it.

Little movement has taken place on establishing the authority since last year when a community information meeting was held, said Mr. Shapero. The board also had a letter from resident Ken Drenth, who supported the resolution. Mr. Drenth also attended the meeting.

Establishing the DDA, said Mr. Shapero, who is chairman of the Les Cheneaux Community Foundation, could help the community economically.

"People need help," he said. "This is a potential appropriate tool to help."

The resolution adopted by the board, he said, is the beginning of a multi-step process that does not bind the board or the community to any decisions. The resolution does, however, allow for a public review meeting.

"This is just the start," he said, "and at any point, as I pointed out last year, you can stop.

"We aren't even clear that the DDA is an appropriate tool for the community," Mr. Shapero continued. "We don't know if we qualify for a DDA. That all comes out as you develop the boundaries, the ordinance, all that."

His informal survey of area business owners indicated they all are interested in seeing the first step of the resolution receive support from the board, he said.

Last year's August meeting was presented by Leslie Sickterman, a planner with the firm Gourdie-Fraser of Traverse City, which has been helping to update Clark Township's master plan and zoning ordinance. Then, Ms. Sickterman explained the advantages and operations of a DDA.

Mr. Shapero was hesitant to repeat the information provided at last year's meeting, although he sought to clarify DDA funding and operations. A DDA, he said, can receive grants, purchase property, and raise money. Authority members are appointed by the township supervisor.

"I think people in the community mistakenly believe that the DDA has the authority to tax, to bond, and to do other things. None of that's true," he said. "They do have the ability to recommend things within the district, but it all still comes to the board for approval and public review."

Mr. Shapero said he is willing to be a member of a group of volunteer citizens who would put together language for the ordinance and legal descriptions for the authority.

Township Supervisor Linda Hudson said she is supportive of the concept, although concerned that three months may not be enough time to develop an ordinance. Mrs. Hudson said she had spoken with Mackinac County Surveyor Jeff Davis, who offered to help with the legal description to the district. She asked for an assurance from Mr. Shapero that the work would be ready in time for the public hearing.

"I don't think we're going to get too many shots at being credible at trying to move a DDA forward," said Mrs. Hudson.

Mr. Shapero said background work already has been done and DDA ordinances from other communities can be used as examples.

"Remember, whatever you come up with in that three months is just a first step," he said. "It then comes out in public, then there is a comment period of two months when it can be changed and refined, and then there is another period of review before you adopt the ordinance. That three months is the initial time to put a sample draft together, and I feel confident it can be done."

Defining the district, he said, should not be too difficult with two established business districts at Cedarville and Hessel, and a commercial corridor that connects them.

During public comment on the issue, County Commissioner Mike Patrick of Cedarville, who attended the meeting, suggested the board contact Deb Evashevski from the St. Ignace DDA.

"If you want to see how a good DDA is working, take a look at St. Ignace," he said. "They do a fabulous job with their DDA."

The time of the January 8 meeting has not yet been set by the board.