Portage Twp. Revisits Authorization of Condo Project
By Paul Gingras

A difference in a master deed recorded at the county courthouse for Cedar Ridge Properties, a large condominium project in Portage Township, and a master deed approved by the Portage Township Board of Trustees, has led the township to revisit the special-use permit that allowed the development. The decision was made at the Tuesday, January 8, township board meeting.

Owner John Bertsma of Grand Rapids required a special-use permit to develop Cedar Ridge because the project crosses land zoned as rural residential and lake shore. Under the permit, all details of the plan had to be approved, said Planning Commission Chairman Karl Krepps.

The Cedar Ridge project on South Manistique Lake is well underway. Some buildings are up, said Township Clerk Marcia Mc- Donald. Cedar Ridge will include 14 single-family residences and a common area.

Plans submitted to the township include a building designated for recreational use, however, on the recorded deed, the building is designated as commercial. This is a violation of what the township board and planning commission approved, Mr. Krepps said.

"Because of the differences, and because of a potential threat to our zoning, it has been suggested by John Wood, the township lawyer, that we revisit the special-use permit," said Township Supervisor Donald Ferris.

A meeting to examine the permit will include the planning commission, the township board, Mr. Bertsma, and whoever Mr. Bertsma wishes to bring with him, Mrs. McDonald said.

Responding to questions from the public, Mr. Krepps said he does not know what the commercial building appearing on the deed is intended to be.

"It was not part of what was there when the township board held a public meeting," he said.

"Essentially, by designating this [building] commercial, if we do not re-address [the permit] and clarify this, then it gives them the option, since it is going to be in the deed, to make that commercial operation anything they would like to do that falls into what we consider commercial in our zoning," he said.

There are many ways to correct the problem, Mrs. McDonald said, including removing the commercial designation, or having Mr. Bertsma return to the board and apply for a new permit. If this happens, another public hearing will be scheduled.

Work on the project will not necessarily stop while the situation is addressed.

Local Millages

The board voted to place several millage renewals on the August primary ballot, instead of on the May school board election ballot, owing to low turnout at school elections.

The renewals include a 2-mill road millage and renewal of a 1-mill special projects millage, which was approved by voters in 2006. The ballot will also include a 0.5-mill renewal for fire department operations, 1.5 mills for ambulance operations, and 0.5 mills for the library. All millages are for two years.

Area Road Plan

At the request of the Mackinac County Road Commission, the township has submitted a prioritized list of projects to be completed in the coming five years. The list includes improvements to North Gould City Road, from Mc- Connel Road to Camp A Road, with the goal of repairing damage caused by spring break up; of equal priority is work on Main Street in Curtis to prevent accumulation of water on the road; shoulder repairs to restore two full lanes on South Curtis Road; shoulder work and gravel placement on Camp A Road; gravel to cover corduroy logs on Ketola Road; Mc- Gahn Road is to receive new culverts, north and south of South Curtis Road, and the road will be widened.

"At this point in time, the township does not have enough money to tackle North Gould City Road," Mr. Ferris said. "Maybe by spring, we will."

Upgrades to Ambulances

The board approved $12,000 to upgrade cardiac monitors in township ambulances from three-lead units to more sophisticated 12-lead units. The upgrade is required by Helen Newberry Joy Hospital as part of a local emergency medical service (EMS) transition from basic to advanced life support status, explained EMS Director Brad Kohvakka. The upgrade will allow the local department to provide the same service Luce County medical units provide when they are dispatched to aid the Portage Township EMS, he said.

New EMS Equipment Building

The board directed Mr. Kohvakka to gather plans for a new building to house ambulances and other EMS equipment to open up space in the fire barn. The building could be 30 feet wide, possibly built so ambulances can drive through. It could be behind the EMS building, on a township-owned lot facing Davis Street.

The decision prompted firemen and members of the public to ask the board to consider building on a piece of township-owned property on Davis Street, which borders the western side of the community center parking lot. Suggestions were made to create a much larger building that would house local government offices, the EMS, and the fire department.

The board acknowledged that it purchased a piece of property for such a building in 2002. Trustee Mark Devereaux explained that it was done for a future project. As Curtis grows, a large building will be needed eventually, but he said he doesn't believe this is the time to do it.

Board members speculated that the cost of the structure would exceed $1 million.

The property was purchased because the township would have otherwise lost the opportunity to buy it, and board members knew that a larger building would be needed in the future, trustee Pat Abram explained.

Renovations to Fire Barn

The board voted to upgrade the electrical system in the fire barn and to insulate the building. Some volunteer labor is available for the work, and Pann Electric of McMillan has estimated the electrical work will cost $6,000.

Renovations to Township Offices

The doorway at the municipal government office building will be widened for wheelchair access and new plumbing will be installed in one of the last projects required for compliance with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), as part of its agreement to provide grants and loans for new fire trucks. Two outdoor projects also remain.

Township Sewer System

Mr. Ferris reported that the township continues to seek funding for a sewer in Curtis. He emphasized that there is no project pending, however, there is widespread agreement in the township that such a system is necessary.

Curtis Elementary

As part of a continuing effort to make Curtis Elementary a charter school, Donna O'Grady reported that a grant application has been sent out and four applications were sent to organizations with the authority to authorize a charter school. Tahquamenon Area Schools has proposed closing the school.

Back-up Township Radio System

To protect a back-up radio system owned by the township, the board voted to seek bids for a permanent building to replace a simple plastic structure that houses it. The structure is falling apart.

Recreation Plan Stalled

The township's upgraded recreation plan is not acceptable by Department of Natural Resources (DNR) standards, Mrs. McDonald reported. The recreation committee recently updated maps and included in the plan suggestions made by residents regarding improvements to recreational facilities. The plan was submitted to the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission, which informed the township that it will need to provide more plan materials and hold more public hearings to qualify for state grants.

DNR grants are needed for such improvements as new fencing for baseball fields and resurfacing the tennis courts.