Council Looks Into Zoning Violation
By Karen Gould

Mackinac Island held a Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fundraiser Thursday, September 8, at the Community Hall and raised more than $18,000. The Island sent $1,000 to a foundation that is rescuing pets. During the City Council meeting Wednesday, September 14, Mayor Margaret Doud (left) presented $17,441.50 to Susan Bentley of the Tri-County Chapter of the American Red Cross, representing Mackinac, Chippewa, and Luce counties.

The Mackinac Island City Council, meeting September 14, discussed an alleged zoning violation at Violet Condominiums, agreed to contact the Corps of Engineers about a breakwall extension, and heard compliments for firemen and the police. Council also approved six motor vehicle permits, gave the go-ahead for a special permit allowing a band to play after 11 p.m., and approved an on-Island business license.

Council directed City Attorney Tom Evashevski to contact the owners of Violet Condominiums and advise they are in violation of the zoning ordinance and cannot rent out units by the night. The new condominium development, just west of Mission Point Resort, is advertising in a sales brochure that units can be rented by the night. Council noted the development does not have a business license for that purpose.

Alderman Jason St. Onge abstained from the vote, since he had just been hired by the owner for a project.

Council will send a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requesting they continue with a project that includes investigating wave damage in the Mackinac Island harbor. The letter states the City’s intent to continue with the feasibility phase of the study. The City is trying to determine whether a third breakwall, off the end of the east breakwall, will solve the problem.

Several letters were read by Mayor Margaret Doud at the meeting.

“You saved my building,” wrote Cissy Springate in a letter to Mackinac Island firefighters.

In a separate letter, Dennis Mikus wrote, “I am in awe of the hard work, dedication to duty, and the courage the firefighters displayed while fighting this fire. You are true heroes.”

The two letters commended Fire Chief Dennis Bradley and the Mackinac Island Volunteer Fire Department for help in fighting the blaze Sunday, August 28, that destroyed Mama Mia’s Pizza Restaurant and the Mackinac Bridge Museum in Mackinaw City.

Ms. Springate owns Shirt Tales, a sportswear store across the street from the fire, and Mr. Mikus is from Coffman Hardware, a building attached to the restaurant and museum, which have been declared complete losses.

Chief Bradley was in attendance at the meeting, as were several firefighters, including Armin Porter, Jason St. Onge, and Dan Wightman, who serve on the city council. Enclosed with each letter was a donation to the Mackinac Island Fire Department.

The other letters read by the Mayor during the meeting included an apology to Island residents from Department of Public Works Chairman R.D. Musser, Jr., and a thank-you to a police officer and dray driver who helped a disabled visitor.

“I would like to read this so it does go into public record. I hope that this will put this matter behind us,” said Mayor Doud, referring to the recent decision by Island residents Rita Sue and Elliot Cohen to sell their 46-acre estate, in part after a disagreement with Department of Public Works over the responsibility for a broken water line near their cottage. The apology was written to the Cohens August 6, prior to the mid-September announcement of sale.

“The DPW in its entirety, Bruce Zimmerman and his staff, and me, are all very apologetic to you both. Your difficulties of the spring are of great concern. Obviously, we were not helpful on the telephone or in person. We are sorry and regretful and we apologize profusely to you both,” wrote Mr. Musser.

The Cohens claim the water line belongs to the city. The city says it does not own the line, but paid for its repair and offered to build a new access line. The Cohens have rejected the new pipe.

Island visitor Brady Abdalla of Fox Lake, Illinois, wrote a letter to Police Chief Bill Lenaghan telling him how Officer Jimmy Hagenbaugh had rescued him after the battery in his mobility scooter had died as he and his wife reached British Landing. Officer Hagenbaugh was able to locate a dray that could handle the scooter and bring the Abdallas back to town. Dray driver Todd Massaway gave the stranded visitors an insider’s tour on the way back to town.

“Believe me, that ride was the high point of my visit,” wrote Mr. Abdalla. “They took an untenable situation and coped with it easily,” he wrote of both men.

Council approved a request for six motor vehicle permits for two home sites from Belonga Plumbing of St. Ignace. The equipment is needed for two new single family homes being constructed on the Island. The homes are for Tom McGovern and Jason St. Onge, who abstained from voting on the three permits for his property.

Council granted a special permit to allow a band to play outside at the Jockey Club until 12 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, one hour after the city normally requires bands to stop playing. The request came from the DeVos For Governor campaign. The original request had asked for a 1 a.m. permit.

Council approved an on-Island business license for Moga Condo Rentals at Stonecliffe.