To the Editor:

Storm clouds are on the horizon for Clark Township.

We have people of every income bracket and from almost every social background in our community. We are a conglomeration of Native Americans, fishermen, hunters, boaters, farmers, and retirees. We have artists, musicians, gift shop owners, restaurateurs, and various contractors. Hessel and Cedarville are a melting pot of cultures and lifestyles all jumbled into a fabric of quiet, laid-back island and rural living, planted in the middle of an ever-changing universe.

Clark Township is populated with people who love the many wonderful characters and characteristics that our area has to offer.

Over the last decade the main issue has been developing a plan for smart growth for the township, without jeopardizing the fragile fabric of the islands, wetlands, waterways, residential, and commercial areas.

We have entrusted our Board of Trustees to put in place a Planning Commission and Zoning Board with the objective to preserve and protect the best qualities of Clark Township's lifestyle, culture, and environment.

I want the board of trustees to do their elected duty and save our residential zone on Hillcrest Lane.

We have at issue here one person trying to change the fabric of our neighborhood.

The owner of lots 22 and 23 on Hillcrest Lane continues to battle the residents on this issue. He is seeking to change these R-1 residential lots to commercial in hopes of obtaining a special land use permit to make his parking lot legal.

In The St. Ignace News March 19, 2009, attorney James Murray claims that rezoning would not be spot zoning because properties across the street are zoned commercial. The last time I looked, there were two homes directly

across the street.

There is an easement of 18 feet between two residential lots that constitutes the commercial property on Hillcrest Lane. There is less than 1% of the total frontage on Hillcrest Lane zoned commercial. Closer to the intersection of Hillcrest Lane and Island View, there is one section of property that is zoned resort, all other property along Hillcrest Lane is R-1 residential.

It seems that changing lots 22 and 23 to commercial would certainly fall under a spot zoning issue. This small percentage of property would be absolutely inconsistent with the zoned residential area.

Mr. Koster cries that he needs this change for the Hessel Harbor Association (HHA).

In The St. Ignace News February 19, 2009, Mr. Koster states, "I haven't made up my mind yet. I don't know. I'm going to look at what my options are." He goes on to say, "My concern is the long-term solution for the Hessel Harbor Association, and that would be that we're rezoned. That would give [association members] the most protection in the future and then it would become a conforming use on a commercial piece of property."

In our last annual membership meeting of the Hessel Harbor Association August 8, 2008, this very issue of the parking lot and how to solve the problem was on the agenda. At that time, there was in place a cease and desist order for no parking on Hillcrest Lane. The original developer and then vice president of HHA at that meeting commented on this issue. He felt it was up to each individual owner affected by this issue to hire attorneys and settle the parking problem in court. Let the HHA solve its parking problem without changing our R-1 residential zone.

If Mr. Koster would be forthcoming in all issues surrounding this case, it would help the Board of Trustees to understand his necessity for this parking lot. Mr. Koster is protecting his only avenue to a storage building on M- 134. Access is through our residential neighborhood crossing Hillcrest Lane onto lot 23, then lot 22, on down, across wetlands he backfilled. Mr. Koster built a road where no road existed.

If this parking lot did not already exist, would the trustees still consider rezoning this property?

This parking lot was created without proper permits from the Township and Department of Environmental Quality.

It remains an eyesore to the residents of Hillcrest Lane, Island View, and Pickford Avenue.

This issue affects all residential areas in our township; do not let a precedent be set for spot zoning.

Please attend the public hearing Thursday, April 30, at Clark Township Hall at 7 p.m. Let your voice be heard; written comments also accepted.

Lea Brunson

Hessel