Councilman Argues Small Hotels at Disadvantage With Ordinance
By Karen Gould

A hotel must have a minimum of 15 rooms before an associated gift shop or restaurant can be added, and such ancillary services must be in the same building as the hotel, said Mackinac Island City Council members at their Wednesday, August 2, meeting.

This is the second time the zoning ordinance regarding hotel-related commercial uses has come before Council, and one member of the board voted against the ordinance amendment.

Alderman Frank Bloswick said the ordinance puts smaller hotel operations at a disadvantage by not allowing them to sell even a pin with their logo on it.

"It hampers a smaller operation," Mr. Bloswick told The Town Crier following the meeting. "I just think we should treat all hotels the same way, whether they're a small hotel or a large hotel."

The amendment change came at the recommendation of the Ordinance Committee, which met an hour before the city council meeting. Originally, the hotel room limit was set at 35, until residents expressed concern during a public hearing this summer that passing it immediately would create non-conformity of some hotels that already were selling gifts and have less than 35 guest rooms. The committee later determined that setting the limit at 15 would not create any new non-conforming hotels.

The amendment now reads, "Uses generally ancillary to a hotel, such as a restaurant or gift shop, provided the use is located within the hotel structure and the hotel has a minimum of 15 hotel units within the structure."

The Ordinance Committee began working on the zoning ordinance change last February. The issue initially was addressed over concerns of hotels seeking to open shops as part of the hotel business, but not in the same structure as the hotel.

Alderman Jason St. Onge voted against tabling discussion on a draft Project Management Plan from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the construction of a new breakwall, though he was in favor of placing the 56-page document on file. The cost of the study to build the wall is estimated at more than $500,000.

Following the meeting, Mr. St. Onge said he was against the city spending taxpayers money to fund the study.

The proposed breakwall would protect the Island's harbor, marina, and ferry boat docks from wave damage created by southeast storms. The city has jurisdiction over the harbor. In a letter last September, the city asked the Corps of Engineers to continue with the feasibility phase of the study. The city is trying to determine whether a third breakwall will solve the problem.

The decision to table the matter came at the recommendation of the Finance Committee, which met just before Council convened. The committee decided to contact Congressman Bart Stupak to see if federal funds are available for the project, and they also agreed to make copies of the report available to the ferry boat companies to see if they would provide financial support for the study. In another matter, Council

appointed Barb Fisher and Trish Martin to the Master Plan Committee. Kay Hoppenrath stepped down from her seat because of new time constraints.

Council approved a resolution acknowledging the dedication of the riding ring at Great Turtle Park posthumously to Mary Milton. The request for the resolution came from the Mackinac Horsemen's Association, which plans the formal dedication Sunday, August 13.

The resolution reads, "Mary Milton was the force who laid down solid foundations to enable the 4-H Summer Riding Program as well as the Mackinac Horsemen's Association to become realities."

Horsemen's Association members Trish Martin and Leanne Brodeur attended the council meeting.

Council also authorized Dennis Dombroski to spend up to $40,000 to finish the remodeling

of the Court House. The remaining funds, which come from the Housing and Urban Development grant the city received for the project, will be withdrawn if not used before September 20.

Mr. Dombroski, at the recommendation of the Finance Committee, will use some of the money to remodel the copula. He also will meet with the Building and Grounds Committee to assess what other work may be done before the deadline.

Also at the recommendation of the Finance Committee, Council agreed to add lights to the library building at a cost of approximately $1,200.

After-dark activities outside the building have created problems, including missing furniture, which later was recovered.

Council next meets Wednesday, August 16 at 6 p.m. on the second floor of Community Hall.