Mike McMaken and Diane Patrick hope to build what they call a "celebration center" on two pieces of property on Mackinac Bay between Hessel and Cedarville, a project they say hinges on either the Clark Township Planning Commission granting a special use permit or the Clark Township Board rezoning the parcel as commercial property. The planning commission will hold a public hearing on the question of granting the developers a special land use permit at 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 9, at Clark Township Hall.

The properties, located next to each other between M-134 and Lake Huron in an area currently zoned rural residential, would be a perfect place to build an attractive reception hall to hold wedding receptions, anniversary parties, business events, picnics, and other gatherings, the developers told the planning commission Tuesday, January 12.

When the two properties are combined, it forms an 800-footdeep parcel with 100 feet of lake access that would be perfect for receptions and events seeking a beautiful natural setting, Mrs. Patrick said.

"We could have a picnic area outside for people to have lunch," she said. "But nothing can happen unless it would be able to be zoned for it."

They plan to build the structure near the middle of the property, hopefully with a view of Mackinac Bay. Mr. McMaken said the hall could be used as an alternative to the township's community center for wedding receptions, but could also be used to bring in business conferences and other groups.

"We could bring businesses in here for meetings, let them stay at our resorts, eat at our restaurants," he said. "Why not bring them to the Les Cheneaux Islands? Maybe they will find that it's a good place to build their home or start a business."

Commissioners did rezone to commercial the northernmost 300 feet of both properties along the highway last Tuesday, but left for the public hearing the other 500 feet toward the lake. Their action, they said, is a small step toward the township's master plan goal of a commercial corridor 300 feet deep along M-134 between Hessel and Cedarville, but not enough to allow construction of the facility about halfway to the lake, where developers want to build it.

Some residents in the Mackinac Bay area voiced their concerns about the construction of such a facility in a residential area during Tuesday's meeting.

Roxanne Eberts, who owns property near the proposed event hall site, said she is in favor of the idea but is concerned about that type of business being constructed in a residential area.

"When we buy a property, we look at the zoning around us and expect it to stay that way," Mrs. Eberts said. "I think it's a wonderful idea, but I bought into a residential area."

Commissioner Vaughn Rye recused himself from the board during consideration of the case because of a possible conflict of interest, since his property is adjacent to the proposed event hall. Mr. Rye did comment as a private citizen, saying he thinks granting commercial zoning or a special use permit would be illegal "spot zoning," since the area surrounding it is not zoned commercial.

"Mackinac Bay is not, I don't think, the place for commercial property," he said. "It's spot zoning. There is no commercial lot within a quarter of a mile."

Some commissioners, including Gary Wellnitz, disagreed, saying that commercial zoning within 300 feet of the M-134 right-of-way is in line with the township's master plan and would not be spot zoning.

"This is certainly in the spirit of what our master plan is trying to do," Mr. Wellnitz said.

Commissioner Jeff Davis made a motion to zone the 300-foot portion of the property commercial, which was supported by Mr. Wellnitz. The motion passed 4-3, with Mr. Davis, Mr. Wellnitz, Mike Freel, and Paul Smith voting yes; Steve Honnila, John Grenier, and Bob Dunn voting no; Pam Thompson absent, and Mr. Rye abstaining.

The recommendation was forwarded to the Mackinac County Planning Commission, which approved it, and will now come before the Clark Township Board of Trustees for final approval.

On another subject, Mr. Mc- Maken suggested the township adopt a wind turbine ordinance to prevent businesses from building unsafe, noisy, or unattractive wind turbines, giving all wind energy, he said, a bad name.

Mr. McMaken sells wind turbines, and he encouraged commissioners to carefully consider their wording to allow the types of residential wind turbines he installs, and others which are of high quality and safe. He offered to help.

"I think you are asking for problems without addressing this," he said. "I'm concerned that all of us are leaving ourselves wide open."

Mr. Davis suggested commissioners talk to the Michigan Townships Association and other nearby townships about what they would suggest for a wind energy ordinance, but no action was taken.