Annex Property To Get New Building Permit
By Ryan Schlehuber

One way or another, the construction of Len and Sue Webster's new home in Hubbard's Annex will see major activity by the end of this year, if Mackinac Island Planning Commission's recommendations to City Council are approved.

At its meeting Tuesday, June 13, the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council approve the couple's application for a new building permit and approve the site plan for the project, but with stipulations that amount to an ultimatum to push the project forward.

Because the project has stalled since the Websters first obtained a building permit in 1999, with only the foundation complete so far, commissioners recommend the city require a performance bond until at least the exterior of the building is complete, require the contractor submit a timeline for construction, and require that construction must start by October 15, 2006.

Newly-appointed Commissioner Jim Pettit voted against the recommendations, stating after the meeting that because of his inexperience on the board and knowing that the Websters are good people, he trusts them to be able to finish the project in a timely matter.

The city has been concerned about the hazards of an open foundation and required the Websters two years ago to at least put a plastic security fence around the site to deter children or snowmobilers from falling in, which they did. Neighbors have grumbled to the city that the unfinished project is unsightly and detracts from the neighborhood.

The Websters were given an ultimatum in April to comply with requests by the city attorney and building inspector for updated construction plans and a building schedule, which included reapplying for a building permit.

The building inspector, Dennis Dombroski, said the Websters' building permit is valid for one year from the time it is issued.

A performance bond, said city attorney Tom Evashevski, guarantees something will happen, either the Websters build the home or, if necessary, materials can be removed and the foundation hole filled. The bond would provide the funding for the city to extract the foundation, if needed.

"Everyone wants to see it built and, if it's not going to be built, people want to see it unbuilt, and the hole filled," Mr. Evashevski said of the Websters' proposed home.

If Council approves the Planning Commission's recommendations, it must also set the amount of the performance bond.

In another matter, the Planning Commission said it will discuss an amendment to the city's zoning ordinance to specify that hotel gift shops and restaurants be physically attached to the hotel at a special Mackinac Island Planning Commission meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 11.

The city's Ordinance Committee discussed the matter February 15 and agreed on new language that will clearly state that hotel gift shops or restaurants cannot be detached from the hotel. A public hearing was held in April.

Putting a gift shop in a separate building, said Mr. Evashevski, would make it an independent retail store, which is not allowed in a hotel and boarding house district.

"We anticipated those businesses would be in the hotels," he said. "We realized we never defined it, however, so it left it open where places like Stonecliffe, for example, could put commercial businesses up outside the hotel and say it is part of the hotel business."

The Planning Commission approved Stonecliffe Properties' request to install a fence around a 40-foot by 60-foot

seasonal tent that was previously approved by the board in April, pending approval of its liquor permit by the state Liquor Control Commission.

The fence will allow Stonecliffe to meet state Liquor Control Commission requirements to enclose the area to be able to serve alcohol there. The tent would be erected on the water side of Stonecliffe mansion. The fence will encircle the tent.