Commissioner Kay Hoppenrath voted against it, stating that the garage-style design is not aesthetically appealing or in keeping with Mackinac Island’s architecture. City Council and its attorney, Tom Evashevski, agreed that this issue should be discussed as more requests similar to Ryba’s may come up.

The roll-up enclosure is now in place and, said Ryba’s Rich Grodecki, who spoke on behalf of the company at the meeting, the enclosure is much more aesthetically appealing. He said it also makes for easier access to the building.

Ms. Hoppenrath, however, is afraid of seeing a trend downtown during the winter.

“I’m just worried about precedence,” said Ms. Hoppenrath. “Just look at the canopies on business buildings. You put one canopy up and now look at it.”

Ms. Hoppenrath was referring to overhangs and awnings on many of the downtown businesses, an issue the City reviewed last year, resulting in a new overhang ordinance.

Four other members present at the Planning Commission, Bob Brown, Mary Dufina, Rosemary Lounsbury, and Ed Chambers, believed the roll-up enclosure is better looking than sheets of plywood and the 2-by-4 studs that Ryba has used in the past to cover the Star Line entrance and shops in the winter.

Commissioners Bruce LaPine, Lee Finkel, Armin Porter, and Margaret Horn were absent.

City attorney Tom Evashevski said the ordinance calls for general considerations pertaining to permanent structures but does not specify any regulations about temporary structures, such as a roll-up enclosure for winter protection. He said the Planning Commission and the City Council should probably look into that in the near future.

Mr. Grodecki said the enclosure includes an access door with emergency lock boxes, similar to the ones the police and fire departments are encouraging Island home and business owners to use. The lock boxes, which contain keys to the particular structures they are attached to, can only be opened by police or firefighters, who have a master key. It prevents firefighters, for example, from having to break down a door to enter in case of an emergency.

Stonecliffe, Cafe, Pulte Spa Projects Begin

Workers are nearly finished with the demolition phase at the site of Debra and Sandra Orr’s new Seabiscuit and Grog Cafe on Main Street, next to Martha’s Sweet Shop. Water and sewer lines have been hooked up.

The Pat Pulte family’s proposed plan to install a spa at Inn on Mackinac was reviewed and approved by architect Richard Neuman. Mr. Pulte, at a city Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting Wednesday, December 8, received approval, by a 4-0 vote, to revise his original design plans. He was granted permission to build an enclosure over the small mechanical room that will cover the water pumps and electric devises for the spa. Mr. Pulte is considering adding a smoke or fire alarm near the mechanical room, since it will be less than five feet from Pine Cottage. He was given a variance to extend his spa deck past the minimum rear and side yard setback of 10 feet. Once it is finished, it will be at or near the lot line.

He was also permitted to build beyond the City’s maximum lot coverage of 40 percent. His existing lot coverage is 43 percent.

The inn’s picket fence will be replaced with a solid fire-retardant wall on the sides and in the back of the inn. The wall will reach eight feet in height, two feet higher than the fence, which, said Mr. Pulte, will give more privacy to his guests and will help muffle noise so as not to disturb neighboring bed and breakfasts, Pine Cottage and Bogan Lane Inn.

The Zoning Board of Appeals, comprised of the City Council, will not permit Mr. Pulte to enclose the spa and its deck.

Alderman Ellen Putnam agreed to approve the variance request only because Mr. Pulte agreed to improve the fire safety standards in the area.

Alderman Jason St. Onge said he voted yes, also, because Mr. Pulte is working to alleviate fire concerns and so the project can continue without any more delays. Had Mr. St. Onge voted against it, the variance request would have failed owing to the fact there were only four board members present to vote. It takes four votes to pass a variance. Aldermen Frank Bloswick and Dan Wightman were absent from the ZBA meeting.

The Zoning Board of Appeals approved Dale Gough’s variance request to construct a porch at his single family residence on Mahoney Avenue, with a front yard setback of five feet instead of 10 feet, which the zoning ordinance demands.

Mr. Dombroski said most of the houses on that street sit within five feet of the setback already. He explained to the board that porches were accidentally excluded from the zoning ordinance’s setback requirements when it was last amended. City officials at the meeting agreed they should remedy that exclusion in the future.

The Planning Commission has approved a revised site plan for Bob Pulte’s and Michael Bacon’s new 13-unit condominium at Stonecliffe Condominiums, called the Lodge at Stonecliffe. Mr. Neuman also approved it through the architectural review process.

Plans were revised to accommodate both buildings on the property and meet setback requirements.

Stonecliffe Properties, now that a site plan has been approved, will soon submit a master deed to be placed on file at City Hall. Once a master deed is filed, Mr. Pulte and Dr. Bacon will receive building permits from Mr. Dombroski.

The 13 units are being built as a condominium on a site condominium lot that is part of the 15-acre Stonecliffe parcel. Developing the parcel in that manner skirts Michigan land division laws that limit the number of times a parcel can be subdivided for development.

The exterior of the new building will match the Stonecliffe Mansion’s Tudor style and blend with other buildings on the property. The proposed 13-unit building is approximately 140 feet long and 52 feet wide.

Planning Commissioners approved Diane Neyer’s request to place an awning on the front porch of Hart’s Haven on Market Street. She was also given permission to add new exit doors to two rooms on the side of the building.

Tim and Margaret Horn’s home on Main Street, in the Mission area, was changed from a Non-Conforming B structure to a Non-Conforming A structure. There were no plans for construction presented to the Commission, but the change is needed for any improvements.

Nancy May’s request to build an addition to her deck on Main Street, in the Mission area, was approved by the Planning Commission. Her home was also changed from a Non-Conforming B structure to a Non-Conforming A structure.

Mr. Dombroski said the corner of her house and the base of the chimney are slightly over the lot’s setback lines.

Commissioners granted approval to Grand Hotel to remodel the former Tindall residence, now a single family employee housing unit.

J.D. Azzar was granted a permit to construct a 12-foot by 18-foot accessory building at his home in the Mission area. Mr. Azzar approached the Planning Commission last month with the same request, but did not have the necessary site plan dimensions available for review, so the request was tabled. He is tearing down one old building and replacing it with the new accessory building.