Builders To See New, Tougher Construction Rules

The Mackinac Island City Council may implement new policies for the Island’s fall and winter construction season. Builders should expect new policies in storing construction material and equipment, especially if a project is in or near downtown.

Last year, residents complained that three large construction projects close to one another on Main Street obstructed street and sidewalk traffic.

“There were times when materials and equipment were in the street and blocking both sidewalks on each side of the street,” said City Engineer and Building Inspector Dennis Dombroski. “Sometimes it’s inevitable that at least part of the street or sidewalk will be blocked, especially if it’s a project downtown, because there’s just no other place to put the material. But we can minimize how much of the street is blocked.”

Mackinac Island Police Department enforces the Street and Sidewalk Obstruction Ordinance, passed last year, and issues permits for construction projects that include obstructing all or part of a street or sidewalk.

Figuring out where to store material and vehicles, wherever the project site may be, is an ongoing issue for the city. Among the considerations, Mr. Dombroski said, are predetermined zones for loading and unloading.

This year, said Mr. Dombroski, in part because of the city’s building moratorium, only one major construction project is scheduled for downtown at this time, Debra and Sandra Orr’s new Seabiscuit and Grog Cafe, near the taxi booth.

A building moratorium was imposed in early June until the City and the Department of Public Works can resolve the capacity issues at its sewer and water treatment plants. Those building projects that do not affect the City’s sewage treatment capacity are able to proceed without interference from the moratorium.