The Mackinaw City Village Planning Commission is recommending the Village Council rezone four acres on the south side from municipal to manufacturing research. The half-lot parcel on Trailsend Road, next to the Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry storage facility, is being recommended for rezoning for possible sale, Village Manager Jeff Lawson said. Shepler's has shown interest in purchasing the land from the village to expand its storage facility, he said.

A public hearing concerning the rezoning was held before a special meeting of the planning commission Thursday, April 9. Dick Moehl and Peg Smith, the only two members of the public to attend the hearing, expressed no objection to the recommended rezoning. The commission approved the recommendation 6-1 in the subsequent meeting; Commissioner Bo Whipkey cast the lone dissenting vote and Commissioner Florence Tracy was absent.

Mr. Whipkey said there was "not enough time to do the research on the outlook of how it would affect the close residents there."

He is also concerned about how rezoning the parcel would affect future rezoning and potential "industrial-type" businesses locating in that area. More than 20 permitted uses and six special land uses would be allowed on the parcel under the village zoning ordinance if it is rezoned manufacturing research.

"If it's a research industrialtype area, there could be a million different things there," he said. "It being adjacent to the water and sewage plant creates accessibility that would lead to even more radical industrial-type uses because of that proximity. There are some nice homes and dog kennels right there."

With the exception of Shepler's storage facility, the vacant village acreage is surrounded by village-owned property, and beyond the village property to the north is the village water and wastewater treatment facility and KOA Campground, and further to the west is TrailsEnd Kennel, which is also a residence.

The rezoning recommendation meets the needs of the planning commission, Mr. Lawson said, and can be passed along to the Village Council for a vote.

The parcel was appraised by Northern Appraisal of Petoskey at $63,000, he said, and would likely be sold for that amount, plus any transaction or attorney fees.

The Village Council will vote on the rezoning at a future meeting.