Astor St. Traffic Congestion Becomes Focus of City Council Meeting
By Karen Gould

Though not on the agenda, the Mackinac Island City Council spent most of its time in a traffic congestion discussion Wednesday, July 20, with Council ultimately deciding to have Police Chief Bill Lenaghan and Dr. Bill Chambers of Carriage Tours work together to eliminate Astor Street congestion. That could lead to painting traffic control lines on Astor Street.

The traffic discussion began when Alderman Armin Porter advised Council of a major traffic problem at the corner of Main Street and Astor Street. A lengthy discussion ensued between Mr. Porter and Dr. Chambers when Mr. Porter said Carriage Tours is lining up tour buggies on Astor as they are getting ready to load. It was noted they had been moved there because of a previous traffic problem on Main Street.

“You’re going to have some congestion, but I disagree with Armin that there’s a major problem there all the time,” said Dr. Chambers.

“The problem with Astor Street is it’s only wide enough for two buggies, one coming one way and one coming the other,” said Mr. Porter. Traffic backs up in the area when dray and other carriages need to get past and buggies are lined up waiting for passengers, he explained.

Dr. Chambers said they have a traffic control person who sends carriages around the block so traffic can get through when it’s needed, and he asked Mr. Porter to visit the area with him the following day to see what he is talking about.

“The buggies do not stay there. You are totally wrong,” said Dr. Chambers speaking directly to Mr. Porter.

“It is a fact that traffic does jam up on Astor Street for a lot of reasons,” said Mike Hart. He noted that taxis load in the area, people have strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs, and there are bikes in the area.

“Space is a premium,” said Mr. Hart. “Traffic is always a problem.”

Dr. Chambers said they would work on the situation by continually moving carriages around the block to reduce any potential backup.

City official Dennis Dombroski suggested a yellow center line on Astor Street to restrict carriages from passing and eliminate bicycle parking on the east side of Astor (the side that May’s Fudge is on) to provide more room for traffic. The road, he said, is only 24 feet wide.

Council granted a variance to Horn’s Gaslight Bar to allow the business three signs. It had met just prior to its regular meeting to review the request by owners Steve and Patti Ann Moskwa, who had previously removed a canopy sign when told they were in violation of the city’s sign ordinance.

That ordinance allows two signs, but their business requires three because, the Moskwas contend, Carriage Tours operates in front of their establishment and carriages block window signage for visitors on the other side of Main Street. For their business name to be visible, they asked to rehang the canopy sign. The building also has two window signs, which the ordinance counts as one sign, and a projecting sign at the top of the building.

During the July 20 hearing, Mr. Moskwa said they need the window signs to direct pedestrians walking in front of the restaurant.

Chris Szabo of Patrick Sinclair’s Irish Pub questioned whether a sign on the door might also be illegal, but Mr. Dombroski explained that letters less than four inches high escaped the sign definition.

“Like I said a year ago, we’ve got to go back and do some cleaning up with this ordinance,” said Mr. Dombroski. “It’s not perfect the way it is.”

City Attorney Tom Evashevski said, “I agree with Dennis on this. I also agree we need some cleanup work on this.”

While taking no action, Council listened to a list of concerns presented by Rita Sue Cohen, who said tightened motor vehicle laws and a faulty water system are making it more and more difficult for cottagers to move here in the spring. She has summered here for 53 years at property behind the Annex and cited examples of city water pipes freezing, their exterminator not being allowed to bring up necessary equipment by truck, the use of a high-low they need, but is not allowed, and not being able to transport personal items in their trailer.

“We love the Island, which is not a very easy place to get to, but please stop making it so much harder,” she said.

Mrs. Cohen asked that Council consider reducing the increasing regulations that make it more difficult for her family to open their cottage each year.

Council took no action on her requests, but asked her to write to the Department of Public Works about the frozen water pipes.

The city will spend approximately $9,800 out of this year’s budgeted amount of $10,000 for new street globes and lights. Areas getting the new globes will be parts of Main Street, Market Street, Mahoney Avenue, and Cadotte Avenue up to the Grand. The city will complete the project next year at an estimated cost of $5,000.

Council endorsed a request from Stonecliffe entertainment, Inc. to change their liquor license from a Class C to a Class B hotel license. The change would allow guests to bring drinks back to their room and also allow the hotel to offer drinks to guests through room service. The change requires approval from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

Discussed in the last meeting Council were advised of a potential safety issue with trees in the Mission area. Mr. Dombroski said that two trees were healthy and sprouting leaves, but now it looks as though someone has killed them. He noted they were Norway Maples. The remaining spruce trees are healthy.

Council asked Mr. Evashevski to research how to proceed with a situation at the Len Webster property in the Annex. The property has been excavated for a foundation but has not seen subsequent activity for six years. The hole collects water and is a breeding area for insects, the city contends.

“This has gone on for six years,” said Mayor Doud. “I think we should take some very stringent steps.”

Council also asked Mr. Evashevski to contact two unlicensed contractors who are operating on the Island. They would be given seven days to comply with city license requirements, which require the state license. Jason St. Onge abstained from the vote, he said, because he is in the same business.

Chief Lenaghan introduce a new Island police officer, Martin Hauger.

Council approved an off-Island business license for Boatpix.Com, which will be at the Chippewa Hotel during the boat races.

Also approved was a fire extinguisher service contract with Northern Fire and Safety of Traverse City. The city would be charged separately for each extinguisher serviced.

A temporary motor vehicle permit was issued to Drug and Laboratory Disposal, Inc. of Plainwell, which would be working with the Board of Public Works for hazardous waste collection.

Council approved a motor vehicle permit for two trailers for the Bayview Yacht Club for the upcoming yacht race. Also for the race, Council approved a temporary motor vehicle permit to deliver and dispose of portable toilets.

Mission Point Resort was granted a temporary motor vehicle permits to fill propane tanks that would arrive at British Landing. The permits are for July 28, August 9, August 23, and September 6.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 3 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.