Commission unanimously denies zoning text amendment

by Angie Asam, Staff Writer

Dorvin Properties, LLC. Requested a text amendment to the zoning ordinance that would allow for a recreational vehicle (RV) park to be located in all two-family residential zones within the city of Rogers City by special use permit. A public hearing, which is required by statute, on the issue was the only item on the agenda at Monday evening?s planning commission meeting and it drew plenty of public comment.

Chairman Del Conley opened the public hearing and Ed Fleis, the developer making the request, was the first to speak. ?The issue before the planning commission tonight is whether or not to allow an RV park as a special use in the two-family residential zone,? said Fleis. He further emphasized that that was what the issue was and was not about the specific site plan or proposed plan.

Gary Pietsch, who resides at 321 Hoeft, and would become a neighbor of the proposed RV park if allowed was the first of several residents from the neighborhood that would be affected to speak to the commission. ?In my mind I see that area as neighborhoods in the future. I don?t think an RV park belongs in that area. An RV park is a long way from a single or two family dwelling. I am asking you to not allow this,? said Pietsch.

Many residents spoke of their feelings of deception as they felt that they were baited and then switched. They were disgruntled by the fact that they did give approval for the property in question to be rezoned from single family residential to two family residential when the developer originally proposed constructing duplexes, or townhouses on the property. However, the residents never saw any development in that direction and were now being asked to change that to an RV park.

Although the developer did not mean for the residents to feel in such a way as he just realized that the market demand for that type of housing was not there and the demand for an RV park could become very high if the proposed Wolverine Power plant is approved and workers need a place to stay.

?I oppose this. I don?t see any reason for it. Space is already limited for anyone who wants to build a new home in Rogers City. I strongly oppose this. I don?t see where this will accomplish anything,? said Larry Kierzek who lives on Stone Lane. Residents spoke of how they felt the property was some of the only choice property left in the city limits of Rogers City and a project like an RV park would eliminate that choice property.

Erik Stone, the son of Marilyn who owns the property next to the property owned by Fleis, also took the opportunity to speak of his and his mother?s opposition to the project. Stone was concerned with the idea of a private campground within the city limits and didn?t feel the property was conducive to an RV park. ?I am all in favor of development in Rogers City. I hate to oppose something like this but this is the wrong piece of property for this type of development,? said Stone.

Fleis spoke of his idea for the RV park which would initially be a site for workers on the Wolverine Power Plant, if approved. ?It would be a case where the demand was immediate. We see the site as more of a peninsula with only one way in and one way out. We don?t see it as a disruption to the neighborhood but rather as a transition between the industrial zone and the residential zone,? said Fleis. He went on to say that after construction of the power plant was finished and workers went elsewhere the demand for townhouses could rise and they could then develop those in the area. ?The notion of a workers village would be even more concerning to me than the occasional visitor for a few days at a time,? said Stone, ?It?s creating a community within a community with its own set of rules.?

The public hearing was closed after all were given a chance, and some multiple chances to speak their mind on the issue and the planning commission began formally discussing the issue as a voting body. ?I went to Louisiana and talked to the people there about their power plant. They really pushed the idea of trail

er parks. The townspeople said they would have done more for the workers if they had to go back and do it all over again. I applaud your efforts Mr. Fleis, but I don?t feel like this is the place for an RV park. I think there are better options elsewhere in the area,? said commission member Deb Greene.

Many of the residents spoke also of the state park located north on U.S. 23 and how beautiful it was, they didn?t understand the need for an RV park. The commission discussed that RV camping was different than regular camping and that the state park does not have big enough lots to accommodate larger RV?s.

?I suggest maybe we postpone this for a month to study all the issues. I hate to make any decisions based on emotions for or against anyone, I just don?t think it is fair,? said Conley. ?I think Rogers City needs an RV park but not in this location,? said commissioner John Nordin. The rest of the commission echoed his thoughts. Nordin then made a motion to deny the request for the text amendment and the board unanimously passed the motion. With the passing of the motion the only zone in Rogers City that allows for RV parks remains to be the industrial district.

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