11/29/2006

Meeting to address resort zoning

By Christine Finger

cfinger@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Elmwood Township board members will hear more from the township's attorney about a zoning ordinance amendment they rejected last month.

Township planning commissioners spent about 10 months rewriting rural resort zoning district standards to bring them more in line with the township's master plan. It was the first new zoning recommended by planning commission since voters in 2003 shunned a new township zoning ordinance.

But the township board voted 4-2 in October to reject the amendment. It again will be on the agenda when board members meet for a special meeting today at noon.

Supervisor Derith Smith said township attorney Jim Young will lead the discussion.

The RR-1 district includes 230 acres on M-72 that Wisconsin-based Wilderness Development Inc. proposed for the Glacier Bay Resort hotel and water park. Planning commissioners started work on the amendment while processing the Glacier Bay application.

Wilderness Development pulled its application in May, saying time was running out on a contingent offer to purchase the property.

Board members also will discuss settlement possibilities in two pending civil lawsuits that involve the township.