“This community is very concerned about these things,” said Bob Jones, a concerned resident.
A development idea presented to the Glen Arbor Township Planning Commission Thursday night is raising some concerns there.
The family that owns the “On the Narrows Marina” is looking at the possibility of buying a commercial property at the mouth of the Crystal River.
Many residents are not happy with this idea.
“This is a very pristine, very unique and I would say even in the United States, a very unique setting that we have in Leelanau,” said Andy DuPont, the chair of the Fisher Lake Association.
For those in Glen Arbor Township, this property is known as the old Seeburger’s Marina or the Crystal River Development Corporation.
According to DuPont, this is one of few commercial properties in the township.
“What’s going on? Why aren’t we hearing about it? Can they really do this?” asked DuPont.
The plan is to keep the marina operating with some renovations.
Eventually they hope to add 14 homes.
In the commercial space they plan to add affordable housing in the upper levels for year- long and seasonal employees.
Conor McCahill, the man proposing the idea says it would benefit the community and his family businesses.
But DuPont and many others have tons of question about this idea.
“The property, being as small as it is, if you try and do a lot of residential units there, how do you handle the septic coming off of that? Where do you park the people? What kind of impact would it have on pollution?” asked DuPont.
He hopes developers and the planning commission are transparent throughout this process.
Bob Jones says he hopes nothing will be done to this property but says he knows that’s not realistic.
“Development is inevitable. You have to make sure that it’s done properly in an environmentally sound matter,” said Jones. “We’re just going to keep our eye on it.”
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