Ryba Properties Tax Case Lingers On

Mackinac Island City Council members approved their meeting schedule for 2006, received an update on the Ryba tax tribunal, rescheduled a public hearing on a proposed 26-room addition to a Mission area bed and breakfast, and approved five temporary motor vehicle permits Monday, November 21, during a brief meeting that lasted less than 30 minutes.

Council learned that no opinion has been rendered by the judge hearing the property tax appeal by Ryba Properties. Last May, a decision was thought to be forthcoming by late summer, but council has now learned it could be up to a year before they know the outcome.

In a letter addressed to City Assessor Joe Stakoe and copied to Mayor Margaret Doud from the city’s attorney in the matter, Fraser, Trebilcock, Davis, and Dunlap of Lansing, the last four tax tribunal decisions took between 135 and 597 days.

Since the Island’s hearing in May, this case as been under consideration for more than 200 days.

The case goes back to 2003 when Ryba Properties appealed assessments on three Mackinac Island parcels, including Orphan’s Corner Mall near the Star Line dock, Memory Lane Mall, and an employee housing and fudge shop building next to the Big Store.

If Ryba Properties prevails, other assessments could be affected, though in May, Mr. Stakoe did not say how specific property taxes might be impacted.

Council rescheduled a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing at the request of Bear River Construction on behalf of La-Chance Cottage, which wants to construct an addition in back to expand the bed and breakfast from 17 to 43 rooms. A November 8 hearing had been canceled. The new hearing will be Wednesday, January 11, at 4 p.m. on the second floor of Community Hall.

Council approved four temporary motor vehicle permits for Edison Sault Electric Company to perform annual maintenance on electrical lines. One permit was approved for work on the McGovern property at Stonecliffe for new home construction.

A Red Hat Society parade is being proposed for between 150 and 300 women from the Star Line Dock to Grand Hotel on June 3. At the hotel, the women will enjoy high tea. City Clerk Karen Lennard was directed by Council to get a parade application for the event to Kelly Simmons, executive director of the St. Ignace Convention and Visitors Bureau, who is planning the function. Council approved a route from the Star Line Dock, west along the boardwalk, across the school playground to Grand Hotel, to keep the women off the roadway.