A decision whether to impose a moratorium on the demolition of historic buildings has been postponed at least two weeks while the Mackinac Island City Council studies the legal ramifications and solicits more public testimony. Council tabled a vote Wednesday, June 30, and set a public hearing for 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, which is its next regular meeting date.

Two weeks ago the board was presented with a petition asking a moratorium be put on demolition of any structure on Main and Market streets. Since then, the list of signatures on the petition has swelled to 278.

About 30 people filed into the city council chambers for the July 14 meeting, with some residents sitting in the hallway.

The pending vote on the moratorium has ignited discussions around the community, acknowledged council members, who asked city attorney Tom Evashevski to prepare a written document that would detail what work would be allowed on buildings in the moratorium area.

Earlier this week, Annex resident Cordelia Puttkammer called for an emergency moratorium, sending Mayor Margaret Doud and the city council a draft resolution for adoption.

“Cordie, it is in the works,” promised Mayor Margaret Doud, referring to a moratorium. “Give us two more weeks.”

Mrs. Puttkammer's resolution states downtown Mackinac Island is architecturally significant and historical, with some structures dating to the early 1800s, and that demolition of buildings will cause “irreparable harm” to the Island.

The moratorium, proponents say, could buy time for the city to review its policies on historic preservation and to put legal safeguards in place. Some would like to preserve McNally Cottage on Main Street, which is slated to be torn down this fall to make room for new shops and a hotel. Others see a long list of other buildings that are threatened by age, neglect, and outmoded use, many of them contributing to Mackinac Island's status as a National Historic Landmark.

The city worries about litigation resulting from impeding development, especially with McNally Cottage, the demolition of which the city already has approved.

“I think it is refreshing to see everybody on board for this trying to save a building,” said Alderman Jason St. Onge. “I think the one people really ought to start rallying over is the Opera House. That building is getting ready to collapse on its own merit and it is going to be too late.”

Mr. St. Onge urged people to look at the storefront that was built in 1870 and is, like McNally Cottage, a contributing building to the landmark designation.

“That building is pitching forward to a degree I'm fearful it is going to be deemed unsafe, and it is going to have to come down,” he said. “I'd really like to see the efforts we've seen in the last six months towards this [McNally] project get applied to that one as well. It may be too late. I hope it's not. That's a gem in our downtown.”

Referring to a preservation workshop held Monday that detailed tax incentives available to owners of contributing buildings, Mayor Doud said, “We are in a very unique situation, since the Island is a National Landmark designation, so a lot of the tax credits, whether you're in a [historic] district or not, apply. I think that is very, very significant.”

Alderman Mike Hart, who attended the workshop, agreed.

“That is a huge advantage to having that designation maintained,” he said referring to the Island being on a watch list by the National Park Service because historic buildings have been torn down or modified to the point of losing their historic significance.

New Local Historic District

Study Committee Appointed

Mayor Doud appointed a new committee to study a proposed local historic district in the downtown area that can be regulated for preservation. Members are businessmen Steve Moskwa and Brad Chambers and aldermen Mike Hart, Dan Wightman, and Sam Barnwell.

The new committee replaces a committee appointed in 2008 hat was charged with studying the entire Island. The tasked proved too daunting, the mayor has said. The new committee will have a smaller area to study, said Mr. Hart.

“We intend to act swiftly on this,” he said.

The local historic district under consideration will include everything from Fort Street west along Market and Main streets and up Cadotte Avenue to Mackinac Island Public School, except the Gate House on the north corner of Cadotte and Mahoney avenues.

“Now that's just at this time,” cautioned Mayor Doud. “It doesn't mean that we can't expand once we get this done. We also want to do a survey of all contributing structures with pictures of all of Main and Market streets.”

Historic Resource Survey and

Public Education Project Grant

In another historic preservation matter, the city council directed its Finance Committee to review a grant application for a historic resource survey and public education project. The grant requires a 40% match with the city's cost estimated at $19,414. Mr. Hart said the city has money in its general fund that could cover the match.

The program includes hiring a consultant for a historic resources survey, design guideline preparation and a design guideline workshop, an economic benefits of historic preservation workshop, and the hiring if a project manager to represent the city.

The finance committee planned to meet at noon, Monday, July 5.

Robin Dorman, executive director of the Mackinac Island Community Foundation, reminded the city council that his organization wishes to contribute to the program. He suggested the foundation could contribute $5,000, but he stressed his board of trustees has not approved such a plan.

In still another matter concerning the appearance of the city, a letter from visitors was read by the mayor complaining about the “neon-like” blue color of the Mackinac Island Public Library. They said the newly painted building color is inappropriate to the color schemes typically used on Island architecture.

“We all commented that we hoped the color would fade before our next visit,” wrote Janet Smith of Grosse Pointe Farms, Catherine Francis of Charlevoix, and Carol Morrison of Pickford.

Other Business

Mayor Doud introduced Jim Wynn, the new owner of Arnold Transit, and Calvin “Bucky” McPhee, the Mackinac County commissioner representing Mackinac Island.

Council approved a $17,755 dray contract from Mackinac Island Service Company. The agreement is the same as last year and includes daily pick-up of all city refuse containers, hauling freight used in city operations, and cleaning and removal of manure from the streets.

“I just want to state this clearly, the City of Mackinac Island did not give any pay raises this year,” said Mayor Doud.

Council tabled a fee for replacement bicycle licenses lost by commercial bicycle operations. Attorney Mr., Evashevski wanted to do more research in the matter. The fee was recommended by the Finance Committee.

Council authorized Mayor Doud to sign paperwork for the sale of its unit at Rowe Terrace for $235,000. The sale, to John and Anne Gault, was closed Monday, July 5.

Council amended its operating budget to reflect the 5% drop in property values for a total of $5,789.

An ordinance prohibiting people from transporting open containers of alcoholic beverages was past. Those violating the new regulation will be assessed a fine of $110.

The new ordinance states, “No person shall transport or possess alcoholic beverages in a container that is open or uncapped upon any public street, sidewalk, or other public grounds.”

Council approved a new plan for Mount Gay Rum banners to keep promotion banners inside businesses or on the outside of buildings only on the water side, to be viewed by people arriving at the Island by boat. The company had planned to place them on the street side of buildings, said Dennis Dombroski of the city. Mount Gay is a sponsor of the sailing races.

The 2010 U.S. Census Bureau boundary map has been revised to reflect the city limits one mile off shore. The old map only included the land mass, said Kelly Bean, assistant to the mayor. The new boundary reaches the shoreline of Bois Blanc Island and slightly overlaps the five-mile boundary of St. Ignace Township in the Straits of Mackinac. Council adopted the new map and will have it added to the master plan.

Seven seasonal temporary motor vehicle permits were approved for Carriage Tours, two were approved for Mission Point Resort for propane tanks, four temporary trailer permits were approve for Fun Services to deliver inflatable toys to Grand Hotel and Great Turtle Park. One temporary trailer permit was issued to Boy Scout Troop 147 of Grand Rapids. One temporary trailer permit was issued to Michigan Gutters for work at St. Cloud Place. Alderman Armin Porter, a family member of the business, abstained from the vote.

Council next meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 14.