Doud Seeks Variance for Commercial Barn
By Ryan Schlehuber

A setback variance request by Andrew Doud to fully rebuild a commercial barn at his Harrisonville residence was recommended by Mackinac Island Planning Commission by a vote of 7-1 at its regular meeting Tuesday, July 11.

The request will be sent to City Council, which will set a public hearing. The project will also need approval for a special land use, City Building Inspector Dennis Dombroski explained.

Mr. Doud's plans are to rebuild the barn, creating nine stalls, which would then be rented out to Island horse owners.

Planning Commission Chairman Bob Brown voted against the request, stating that he was not against the idea but that he believed the issue should be decided solely by City Council without any recommendation from Planning Commission.

The board's recommendation also included a suggestion to Council to study the zoning ordinance's requirement that a barn must be within 100 feet of the owner's residence. Commissioners questioned whether 100 feet is necessary.

Frank Bloswick was approved a zoning permit to install a six-foot by 10-foot tent at his LaChance Cottage on Main Street during the summer to cover condiment tables used by his son's business, Brian's Barbecue, which operates on the front yard of the hotel.

Audience member Leslie Benser spoke against the request, fearing it sets a precedence, where more businesses on Mackinac will also want a tent set up for various reasons.

Both Mr. Dombroski and city attorney Tom Evashevski explained that the request is within the standards of the zoning ordinance, however, if Mr. Bloswick enlarges the tent or adds anything to it, such as tent walls to block the wind, he must seek approval by Planning Commission before doing so.

"I just think you're opening a can of worms to let the next guy and the next guy do it," Ms. Benser said. "I just think it's something to think about."

"It's always difficult to balance things like that," Mr. Evashevski responded. "Whatever the balance is, though, you have to go by what the ordinance says. It's not a matter of letting it happen, it's more that it is allowed by ordinance."

Though the project is partially finished, Sally and Tom McGovern's request to add two dormers to their Forest Ridge Condominium home on the west side of the Island, changing the exterior elevation of the building, was approved by Planning Commission, pending the stipulation that the windows do not cover more than 50 percent of the side of the building, a requirement under the city's zoning ordinance.

Mr. Dombroski said the exterior will be recalculated to make sure it meets zoning ordinance standards. The total height of the building is still the same, he said.

Planning Commission approved Little Stone Church's request to redesign its entry sidewalk and add a stone bench and two flower planters to the landscape.