Gator Properties rezoning request moved to April 2

The proposal has drawn letters, many public comments.

The Laketown Township Board of Trustees on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, prepped for an upcoming discussion on a rezoning request that has drawn dozens of letters and in-person public comments.

The meeting for a possible decision was planned for March 12 but has been rescheduled to April 2.

Background

The Laketown Township Planning Commission recommended on February 5 that the township board agree to Gator Properties request to rezone two parcels just south of South Shore Drive from residential to commercial. Gator Properties is associated with Eldean Shipyard.

Township attorney Ron Bultje on March 5 explained to the township board the process of contract zoning, something the township has not used in recent memory, and answered questions from the board at the workshop meeting in preparation for consideration at a future meeting.

Currently the board plans to address the Gator Properties request for rezoning on Wednesday, April 2. The meeting is at 5 p.m. at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

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.

Rezoning request

Wade Eldean of Gator Properties came to the planning commission last year asking to rezone land from R-2 Low Density Residential District to C-2 General Business District with conditions.

Eldean told the planning commission in February he does not plan to change the use, which includes a volleyball court, parking and marina-related storage, with the contract rezoning. He said he wants to align the land’s actual use with its proper zoning to reduce neighbor complaints. The rezoning would also allow him to get a loan on the property if needed.

At the November planning commission meeting, the township received 44 letters about the proposals and had an almost 45-minute public hearing during which 11 people spoke. Public comments have continued at other planning commission meetings and at the township board level.

In February, the planning commission voted 2-1 to recommend the township board approve the rezoning request. The planning commission has five members. At last month’s meeting, one member was absent, and another member recused himself because of connections to the marina.

The township board makes the final decision because it is a rezoning request.

Planning commission minutes are available through the links above and documents are also available at the township hall.

In other business

At the March 5 meeting, the board unanimously approved a resolution of support for Zoann Hallam, Laketown Township deputy clerk, to apply for the Michigan Townships Association Robert R. Robinson Memorial Scholarship to help her studies at Grand Valley State University in public administration.

Supervisor Steven Ringelberg informed the board that township Assessor Heather Jahr has put in her two-week notice to leave township employment. Ringelberg thanked Jahr for her 6 years of service with the township. The board will consider replacing her with a new staff assessor or contracting out the service.