The nighttime darkness at Emmet County's Headlands may become a future boon to Mackinaw City as an attraction. The Mackinaw City Planning Commission agreed with Mary Adams of Harbor Springs, who approached the board asking for support of an effort to designate the Headlands as a dark sky park. While initially hesitant, commissioners said that they will recommend to the village council that it write a letter of support to the International Dark-Sky Association. Planning commissioners, at their meeting Thursday, May 27, also granted Bill Shepler's site plan and special use application to allow a lot he owns off Nicolet Street to be used as temporary boat line parking.

With only a handful of internationally recognized dark sky parks in the nation, having the Headlands designated as one, said Ms. Adams, would benefit the village by attracting star-gazing tourists. Ms. Adams and other Emmet County residents want to designate the Headlands as a dark sky park.

“Mackinaw City is already a wonderful tourist destination, but this will also attract other tourists,” she said.

Dark sky parks are relatively free of light pollution and offer excellent views of the stars under standards designated by the International Dark-Sky Association. Among the requirements that must be met by the Headlands, Ms. Adams said, is that the light in the area must be measured and submitted to the association, and light ordinances would have to be more stringent for the area than the rest of the surroundings. Afterward, the association will conduct its own light measurement to see how well and how much of the Milky Way can be seen from the location.

“It's very important to me that children learn about constellations,” she said. “Not many people know more than the Big Dipper.”

The Emmet County Board of Commissioners supported the move for the county-owned area, Ms. Adams noted.

Planning Commission Chairman Rob Most said he liked the idea of the village having one of only a few dark sky parks in the nation, but was concerned about the effects the park could have on development. Future commercial development could be impacted if the park's surroundings needed to be dark enough to view stars and constellations. He also wondered what effect it would have on some of the residents living near there.

“We would want to be friends with our neighbors,” Ms. Adams said. “There is no way to control what our neighbors do, but we have to take pride that we have a dark sky park.

Two houses can be rented to vacationers at the Headlands.

Commercial development would not be prevented because of the park, she added, but would need fixtures to regulate light.

“It doesn't say no new business, it means the right kind of light in the right amount and at the right time,” Ms. Adams said.

Village President Jeff Hingston, who attended the meeting, encouraged the planning commission to recommend council write a letter of support.

Mr. Most said he felt better about the park after hearing Ms. Adams's explanation.

“I think it would be very good for us and for the future,” said commissioner Paul Allers of the park designation.

Overflow Parking Lot The planning commission reviewed its first boat line overflow parking lot case since the amendment to allow it was approved April 15. Commissioners considered a request from Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry to use its unpaved lot off Nicolet Street for overflow parking.

According to the amendment, 50% of the lot must be landscaped along public transportation routes such as streets and bicycle paths. Earth berms and shrubbery can be used as landscaping and must conform to certain height restrictions. If a special use permit is granted, the applicant can use the lot for three years. The applicant can request a renewal of the permit two times, each for an additional three years.

Immediate concern was raised by Sandy Planisek, chair of the Trail Committee. The parking lot is near a bike trail that will be paved this year, she said, and people may mistake the paved portion as leading to the lot. A gap between berms was also identified on the site plan near the trail, and it would be possible for a car to pull out between the berms and onto it, Mrs. Planisek opined. Commission member Bo Whipkey, who is also on the Trail Committee, agreed.

Considering the business met the requirements for the special use permit, the commission unanimously approved it, however, Mrs. Planisek's and Mr. Whipkey's concerns were addressed during the site plan review.

Village Manager Jeff Lawson notified the commission the only thing they could do is meet the site plan requirements of 50% landscaping and a lot limit of one acre. According to the site plan, the lot was landscaped along public corridors by the required amount and is the proper size. The commission could suggest moving berms to cover the gap near the trail, but could not order it.

“You really have to go out of your way to cross into the trail,” Mr. Lawson said.

Dave McFarland of the Architect Forum, which developed the site plan, said landscape timbers could be placed near the gap.

Bill Shepler, owner of Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry, said the lot has been used in the past for overflow parking and no problems have arisen.

“So far, it has not created any situation that gives us pause,” he said. Mr. Whipkey countered, saying more bike traffic would be expected once the trail is paved.

As for drivers mistaking the paved trail for a road into the lot, Mr. Shepler explained the lot would be staffed nearly all the time, and employees in orange vests would help direct traffic into the lot.

Should a problem arise, it would not be permanent, Mr. Hingston said.

“If some of these situations become a problem, they will be addressed,” he said.

The planning commission approved the site plan as it was presented, 5-1 , with Mr. Whipkey as the lone dissenting vote. He explained when the amendment was approved, he expected site plans to appear similar to golf courses in landscaping. The Shepler design did not meet that expectation. The plan was moved to the village council for consideration during its Thursday, June 3 meeting, where it was approved. (See related story this page)

The planning commission made a final review of the wind turbine ordinance and found the latest draft to be in order. They agreed to pass the ordinance on to the village council, where it will be subject to first and second readings before its adoption.