Board unanimously rejects rezoning request

Gator Properties asked to rezone land from residential to commercial.

A view of the property owned by Gator Properties proposed to be rezoned from residential to commercial.

The Laketown Township Board of Trustees on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, unanimously rejected a proposed contract rezoning for two parcels just south of South Shore Drive from residential to commercial, saying the proposed zoning was not compatible with the township master plan or surrounding residential uses.

The rezoning request came from Gator Properties, associated with Eldean Shipyard, to change the R-2 Low Density Residential District to C-2 General Business District with conditions. The land is now being used for a volleyball court, parking and marina-related storage which is not allowed with residential zoning.

Wade Eldean of Gator Properties proposed to maintain those uses but change to commercial zoning through a contract.

Contract rezoning, also referred to as conditional rezoning, is a written agreement initiated by the property owner to change the zoning. The property owner and the township agree in a contract to the uses of the property. If a use is not listed, it is not allowed. If the contract is violated, the township has the option to change the zoning back to its original status.

Supervisor Steven Ringelberg said the proposed rezoning is inconsistent with the goals and policies of the master land use plan that keeps the area residential. The land is bordered on three sides by homes, so commercial zoning is incompatible with the surrounding uses.

Eldean said keeping boats and trailers on the land is a residential use and that the township’s master plan suggests the uses should be considered.  Ringelberg responded by stating that if the primary use of a property is as a residence, then the residents can store their boat or trailer on the residential property. In this case, there is no residence on the property so storing boats and trailers is a commercial, not residential, use.

The rezoning issue drew more than a hundred letters in support and opposition.

Eldean’s rezoning request started last year in the planning commission. That commission voted 2-1 in February to recommend the contract rezoning be approved by the township board.