French Lane To See More Restricted Traffic, Signs
By Karen Gould

Horse traffic will be further restricted on French Lane and traffic flow signs will be posted on the narrow thoroughfare that links Main and Market streets. While past restrictions had allowed one-way horse traffic from Market to Main, a new policy adopted by the city council Wednesday, April 26, prohibits horses from entering French Lane from Market Street. The restriction will be posted at the corner.

The only horse traffic allowed, then, will come from Squires Lane, which is the alley behind the Lake View Hotel that leads to Hoban Street.

Horses entering French Lane from the alley will only be allowed to turn left, so the top half of French Lane will be off limits to horses.

The restrictions and oneway traffic designation do not apply to foot or bicycle traffic.

The 10-foot wide passageway has been defined by a city ordinance since 2002 as oneway to horse drawn shuttles, taxis, carriages, and drays.

Complaints last summer by residents spurred the city Ordinance Committee last June to agree signs are needed because dray and horse traffic poses an increasing danger to pedestrians. Signs were ordered, but were thought by administrators to be too large for the area, and the project was placed on hold.

Now, Council will restrict horse traffic further and the new signs are expected to be posted this month. The signs will assist police in issuing tickets to violators.

Also at its April 26 meeting, Council renewed 54 on-Island business licenses, five off-Island licenses, and three new business licenses, bringing the total to 214 for the year. Last year, the city issued 291 business licenses. Late fees are assessed to licenses issued after May 1. The new businesses are Dennis Reimer, Park Place Suites, and Stonecliffe Real Estate Management.

Old-fashion-style police station lights, paid for from funds left from the Housing and Urban Development grant that was used to renovate the police station, will be used to improve lighting on the steps on the police station, said Dennis Dombroski, city building inspector. The cost for the new fixtures is $1,312.

Police Chief Bill Lenaghan announced that four new officers have been hired from 252 applications and 16 finalists who were interviewed.

Based on a recommendation from the Finance Committee, Council approved a proposal from Tim Maxwell to lay brick pavers on the walkway between Main and Market streets. The project is estimated to cost $36,608. Council also approved Larry Belonga of Belonga Plumbing and Heating in St. Ignace to remove the old cement and clay pavers, at a cost of $6,500.

Council approved final payment of $12,947 to Lange Enterprises, Inc. of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, for the Island's 9-1-1 mapping project.

Three computers were purchased for the police department for $3,058.50. The lease had expired on the old computers, which were five years old.

Lilac Festival events were approved by Council, including a 10K run for Saturday, June 10, country line dancing for Saturday, June 10, the Epona and Barkus Parade for Saturday, June 17, and the Lilac Festival Grand Parade for Sunday June 18.

A permit for an antique carriage parade for October 18, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., was issued at the request of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. The parade will travel from Grand Hotel to Main Street and conclude at Mission Point Resort.

Council again tackled a list of temporary motor vehicle permit requests made as residents and business owners prepare for the season.

Permits were issued to Wawashkamo Golf Course for 24 golf carts and to Grand Hotel for 63 golf carts. The permits were to transport the carts onto the Island for the golfing season.

Grand Hotel received another temporary vehicle permit for Darrow Brothers Excavating, Inc. of Mackinaw City to add an irrigation system to Woods golf course. Council placed a restriction on the permit pending Darrow Excavating obtaining a business license to work on the Island.

Again, with the stipulation that Darrow Excavating obtain a business license, Council approved a permit to haul and dump road gravel to fix unleveled roads in the Stonecliffe area. The permit was requested by Sunset Forest Association.

A temporary motor vehicle permit was issued to Brian Bloswick so he can remove his tractor from the Island.

Three temporary motor vehicle permits were issued to Mission Point Resort to run a new propane main from the resort to its propane tanks. Mission Point Resort General Manager David Sanderson, who attended the meeting, told Council there was no evidence of any leaks, and this was a preemptive project.

Two temporary motor vehicle permits were issued to Prestige Construction Group of Traverse City to pour a basement floor at Tom and Sally McGovern's Forest Ridge home.

A temporary motor vehicle permit to remove trees and brush at the Armstrong, Nash, and Roguska residences in the Stonebrook subdivision was issued.

Council tabled for two weeks a temporary motor vehicle permit request by Belonga Plumbing to remove landscaping materials from the Straus residence in the Annex area until

more information is received regarding the encroachment on city property on a planned fence and new landscaping work.

Three temporary motor vehicle permits were approved for Stonecliffe Properties to prepare landscaping for a tent to be placed on the water side of Stonecliffe Mansion. The Planning Commission had approved a 40-foot by 60-foot tent to be used on the grounds throughout the summer at its Tuesday, April 11, meeting.

Three temporary motor vehicle permits were issued to the Wild residence to haul in fill and chip brush, providing they use their own entrance off M-185 for the dump truck, skidsteer, and backhoe.

A water service line will be installed at the Larry Berke cottage near Stonecliffe and Council approved a temporary motor vehicle permit for the project.

Council meets every other Wednesday at 5 p.m. on the second floor of Community Hall on Market Street.