Outdoor seating will expand a Mackinac Island restaurant, converting previous retail space into a covered dining area on Hoban Street. The project received approval during the Tuesday, December 8, Planning Commission meeting and will add 44 seats to Goodfellows, a restaurant in the Lakeview Hotel.

The windows will be removed from the retail area, said Ira Green of Mackinac Island Properties. Most recently, the space held Sticky Paws, a pet supply store. A bicycle rental staging area will continue operating at the northeast corner on the building.

Commissioner Mary Dufina was concerned about additional traffic congestion on Hoban Street. Mr. Green said the entrance to the dining area would be through the restaurant, although a handicap entrance and emergency exit would remain there as it has before.

An architectural review of the project was completed by city architect Richard Neumann of Petoskey.

"The appearance of the building would be improved by the proposed changes by creating an open porch feeling along Hoban Street," he said.

Commissioner Trish Martin asked if the commission needs to work on any aspect of the Master Plan, which was adopted in 1999. Kelly Bean, assistant to Mayor Margaret Doud, said the city has a few items to finish for consultant Connie Dimond of JJR of Ann Arbor, who was hired by the city for the project.

Mrs. Dufina expressed her frustration with lack of progress on updating the city's Master Plan, which has been under revision or five years.

"In my mind, she [Ms. Dimond] is working for us and I guess I would like to know what she is doing," said Mrs. Dufina. "What is she doing? Could she write us a letter? Could she tell us she doesn't want to do this? I'm very disturbed about the whole process.

"This has gone on way too long," she said.

Lorna Straus, a member of the Master Plan Committee who attended Tuesday's meeting, said she agrees with Mrs. Dufina.

In other business, concerns over economic conditions resulted in commissioners receiving two requests for extensions on construction projects, which they granted.

A one-year extension was granted to Sam and Janet Randazzo of Grosse Pointe Woods on their planned single family home in the Stonebrook subdivision. The project had been set to begin this fall, but work has been moved to the coming spring. The couple received zoning approval from the Planning Commission last January. Their request came from Tamara Burns at the architectural firm Hopkins Burns Design Studio of Ann Arbor.

A one-year extension also was granted to developer Ira Green for the Bicycle Inn, a three-story, 25- room hotel, shops, and bicycle rental business on the waterfront of Main Street, across from McNally Cottage. The development is planned by Mackinac Island Bicycle Inn. Mr. Green also is working on a proposed three-story, 22- room hotel and retail complex across the street, on the site where McNally Cottage stands. That hotel, he said, is called Bicycle Street Inn and is being developed by McNally Development.

In a related matter, commissioners received a letter from an Island visitor David Bruinsma of Grand Rapids, who is concerned about the future appearance of the downtown area.

"If over development alters the charm, ambiance, and remnants of the past, the new hotels may find an increase in vacancies," he said. "Admittedly, the proposed inn which might replace McNally's is attractive and in keeping with Victorian architecture, but it will create a row of look-alike pseudo Victorian hotels with no link to the Island's past. McNally Cottage is authentic, traditional, and it offers a break in Main Street's continuous new development. Hopefully the old Orpheum Theatre won't be the next to fall in the name of progress."

Commissioners approved three building sites for single family structures as part of Breakwater Point Condominiums. The project previously received commission approval in 2001 for the site condominium units, although plans did not meet zoning requirements.

"There were issues with how the lots were arranged as far as being buildable per our zoning ordinance, without variances," said zoning officer Dennis Dombroski.

The condo project also includes four apartment units, already approved, and is owned by Robert Pulte of Birmingham. It is next to the Horn property east of Mission Church.

Brad Porter of Porter's Survey of Onaway attended the meeting and said the building sites on the parcel were reconfigured to meet zoning requirements.

Commissioners approved a request to add two windows to a condominium at Mackinac Place on Main Street at the east end of town. Unit owner Bob Gula sought approval to add the eastfacing windows between two windows already in the living room of his condominium. The living room sits in the back of a covered porch, said Mr. Dombroski, and Mr. Gula is seeking more natural light in the room.

An after-the-fact addition to a storage building of approximately eight-feet by 18-feet was approved for James Chambers on his Market Street barn.

"The addition, which I understand is primarily for wood storage, was added on to the back of a barn," said Mr. Dombroski, building inspector for the city. "He did not realize he needed to get building approval for enlarging his building and the combination of the two buildings makes it fall into that requirement."

Commissioner Jim Pettit expressed his concern that residents complete projects first, and then seek planning approval.

Mr. Dombroski said the city has a policy to fine those who violate the zoning policy. Mr. Chambers, he said, received two tickets, for a building permit violation and one for a zoning violation.

Mr. Pettit, who is employed by the Chambers family, abstained from the vote. Commissioners Bruce LaPine and Lee Finkel were absent from the meeting.

The Planning Commission next meets Tuesday, January 12, at 3 p.m. in council chambers.