Grattan Township and Murray Lake Residents , Fight to Maintain Area's Rural Character
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i 25C The Lowell Volume 14, Issue 36 Serving Lowell Area Readers Since 1893 Wednesday, July 18, 1990 Grattan Township and Murray Lake residents , fight to maintain area's rural character 'They tell me Americans are apathetic/' said Woody Byrne should leave the wetlands alone. Byrne was asked held. In an appeal, the ordinace was struck down. Hoover, Chairman of the Grattan Township Planning Com- how long it would be before he decided that the rest of the Had the case gone to the Supreme Court, legal precedent mission. "I don't believe it." wetlands should be modified. He said that there were none would have been set, but a comprimise was made and the Hoover made the opening comment after the Planning at the present time. case was settled out of court. The settlement called for a Commission meeting had to be moved from the Township Hoover told the captive planning commission audience lower density development. Hall to the Grattan Fire Station so that it could hold all 153 that if they are worried about the deterioration of the wetlands "We have this ordinance and we intend to support and people in attendance. surrounding small lakes they should write the planning com- follow it," Hoover said. "We may very well have to do this It is not an exaggeration to say that most, if not all, of mission, their state representative and the DNR. all the way to the Supreme Court. That would not be an those in attendance were there to discuss the proposed de- When asked why Byrne could not build around and im- inexpensive process." velopment of roughly 130 acres on the Northwest side of prove the wetland condition, he responded "I'm not destroy- Many concerns were raised about the sewer system and Murray Lake at Five Mile Road and the property that extends ing the wetlands. I'm only going to modify I.I acre." the impact a new development would have on it. Hoover to Murray Avenue. In response to Byrne's remarks, a Murray Lake gentleman made it clear that the design of the sewers now in place are The development calls for the addition of 69 lots and said he did not believe the development was palatable with there to solve problems that the lakes have had and not to 30-35 slips. According to Murray Lake residents in atten- the ecology in Murray Lake. He added that the number of provided for substantial further development. dance, the already overcrowded lake does not need more lots (69) would mean lots of extra fertilizer which would With this before him, Byrne said he would then have to people and boats on it, especially on the weekends. end up in Murray Lake and in turn would mean an increase sit down and present a plan that would adequately deal with There are a few precious moments when Murray Lake is in weeds. the sewer problem. not overcrowded in its use, according to its residents. Wed- The stickiest problem, and in this case, ordinance con- The development presented by Byrne falls under the site nesday (July II) from 7:30 until 10 p.m., may have been fronting Byrne is the Grattan Township ordinace that is condominium act. The difference between the typical con- one of those moments because most of the Murray Lake clearly against his proposed development of the scheduled dominium and the site condominium which Byrne proposes residents were at the Planning Commission meeting. 30-35 slips and how far out they are proposed to go out into is with the typical condo a person purchases building space. The development proposal was brought forward by de- the water. With a site condominium a buyer purchases land and space veloper, Thomas Byrne of Rolling Meadows, III. If there "We have an ordinance that prevents this kind of funneling (referred to as a unit). Progressive Engineer planner. Will was support for his proposed development of the 100-plus development," Hoover said. 'The docks can go no further Andresen said that a site condominium would be like a acres he own,s it wasn't at the Wednesday meeting. out than 4-1/2 feet deep.'' Byrne must also allow for 50 feet sub-division with individual home sites. "The benefit of Byrne was questioned, interrogated, and then cross- of lakefront for development. As it stands, Byrne currently this is that there are areas of common ownership, and as a examined on Murray Lake's overcrowdedness, the sewer has roughly 300 feet of lakefront properly, which is not part of the condominium agreement the condominium as- system, the noise pollution, the assessment on the effect of even a tenth of what is called for by the ordinance. sociation maintains the common areas," Andresefi said. "The the removal of wetlands, and the impact the development Byrne's plan violates the ordinance, but Hoover said the other benefit is that the review process is not as lengthy." would have on the school. ordinance may or may not hold up in court. Hoover added that Byrne could not guarantee there would Byrne said he planned on modifying, and/or changing, In a similar argument (the Fox Case) in Charlevoix accord- be no extra cost to the township down through the years. only I.I acres of the five acres of wetlands. Many argued ing to Hoover's understanding, the township had invoked 'That will depend on the assessments," he said. that there are more than five acres of wetlands and that an ordinance to prevent development like Grattan. The de- Depending on how many are sold. Byrne said, each lot/ veloper took the township to court. The ordinance was up- Murray Lake, cont'd., pg. 2 Increased ticket sales help Showboat near financial stability in 1990 The year of the 1990 started its corporate sponsor- Showboat was one of change. ship program in 1990. In its It went from one headlincr kickoff year, the program •'n over three nights to a differ- brought in $9,250. 'i thought ent headliner each evening. for the late start that we got It was the initial year of (March-April), that Dick CLASS OF 1925 WILL CELEBRATE 65 YEARS the Princess Laura Dinner Korb and Dale Triplett did an Cruise and for Corporate excellent job," said Lowell The Lowell High School Class of 1925 will have a 65th Sponsorship. Showboat President, Gordon reunion on Saturday, Aug. 4. Members of the classes of The 1990 Lowell Show- Gould. "For 1991, we will 1924 and 26 and also welcome to attend. boat may also be the year the talk to corporations and Class members will meet at Keiser's Kitchen, East Main, Showboat turns the bend to- businesses prior to the Lowell at I p.m. for a lunch and then go to Schneider Manor ward financial stability. budgets being completed." for visiting. It is no hidden secret that Showboat accountant/ Call Vassar Rosewame at 245-3051 or Theo Schutt at 1989 was not a financial suc- bookkeeper Lu Greene said 243-9155 for reservations by July 28. cess. It is estimated that in she doesn't believe $20,000 1990 the Lowell Showboat is an unrealistic goal for CLASS OF 1975 HOLDS REUNION will lose roughly $660. That 1991. may sound disheartening to One way to help corporate The Lowell High School Class of 1975 will hold its class outsiders looking in, and sponsorship reach that figure reunion on Saturday, Aug. 11 at Dari's in Alto at 6 p.m. for frustrating to those that put is to have the talent lined up cocktails and dinner at 7 p.m. so much time and effort into at an earlier date. "There's A family picnic will also be held on Sunday, Aug. 12 at the gala event, but there are no doubt that if we go to cor- JPCrcekside Park at I p.m. reasons for optimism. porate sponsors with the three Mail $17.50 per person reservation checks payable to The different headliner for headliners already in place, L.H.S. Class of 75 by July 31 to Robert and Mary Ford, each evening was met with that will help," Gould said. 1376 Sibley, Lowell, Ml 49331. much enthusiasm by the com- "The risk in doing that is the JAYCEES INVITE YOU TO HELP CLEAN UP M.21 munity which explains why performer can back out if a ticket sales were up over the better offer comes along The Lowell Area Jaycees in cooperation with the Michigan last two years. down the road." Department of Transportation invite all Lowell residents 16 Total ticket sales in 1988 One area that both Gould years of age or older to help clean up M-21 (Montcalm to (Lettermen) were $49,500; and the Showboat Board Cumberland) on Thursday, July 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. and total ticket sales in 1989 (B.J. would like to see trimmed is Saturday, July 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Thomas) were $41.000: total expenses. In 1990 the three i Everyone will meet on the north side of Richard's Park ticket sales in 1990 ring in at major expenses were produc- The Showboat board feels confident that an earlier roughly $52,500. tion $39,650: sound and start on corporate sponsorship and a restrictive eye on Main St., cont'd., pg. 6 The Lowell Showboat Showboat, cont'd., pg. 2 spending will help put the 1991 Showboat into the black. The Lowell Ledger • Wednesday. July 18, 1990 • Page 2 Lowell Schools establish The Lowdl Ledger - Wednesday, July 18, 1990 • Page 3 Obituaries a Saturday detention Lowell City Council approves use of collection agency Because the Lowell busi- for me to collect the taxes.*' (FCA) would be given the re- was approved by the Lowell turned over to the agency and Currently the procedure CLEVELAND-Violet (Vi) was preceded in death by her ness district has grown to in- of Fincastle.