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October 13, 2005
Subdivision plan shelvedByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Developers withdrew their application for a fiercely contested subdivision on Arbutus Lake, but opponents said the battle is far from over. "We have to protect this lake for the future of everybody," said Jim McDowell, a member of Concerned Citizens for Arbutus Lake. "This is the last pristine lake of its size in Northern Michigan, and we have to preserve it." The McKeough Land Co. submitted a site plan to East Bay Township in April to develop 91 lakefront homes and 136 interior homes on 462 acres that cover about half the west side of Arbutus Lake. The company withdrew its application Monday, just hours before the township board was to hire an environmental consultant to review the proposal. McKeough was unable to extend its purchase option with the Salon family, which has owned the property since 1946. "Our negotiations broke down, and we were not able to reach a mutually acceptable agreement," company spokesman Chris McCrumb said. He said the opposition had "no effect" on the decision. "We'd like to take some credit for (stopping the development), but I don't know if that is true," said Myrna Yeakle, a leader of the citizens group. "We're pleased, but this is only the first step." The group hired an environmental consultant who argued the project would damage the lake because of the large number of lakefront homes and septic tanks. The conflicting environmental reports led the township to find its own consultant, delaying its review. The citizens group members would like to see the property acquired by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy but noted it's an option outside their control. Yeakle said group members realize the Salons have a right to develop their property, but they hope the next developer who comes along will work with them to develop the land in a way that protects the lake. The property is back on the market listed for $10.5 million. "It's definitely a price that would take your breath away," said Desiree Worthington, director of charitable giving for the conservancy. Worthington said the property is a priority for the conservancy, which attempted to negotiate a purchase with the Salon family in 2002. The conservancy continues to talk with the Salons but are not negotiating for the property, she said. The large outcry from the public over the proposed development has raised awareness, and that helps, Worthington said. The Salon property is across from the 91-year-old Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha for Girls, now owned by the YMCA. Former campers and summer visitors from across the nation joined with property owners, environmentalists and lake users to oppose the development. Worthington doesn't doubt their heart but said their financial capability has to match to make acquisition work. "It is a large number, a very large number," she said.
Clearing the Record
Due to a production error, Arbutus Lake residents were originally misidentified in the photo that accompanies this story.
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Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
