In my opinion: On the Future Land Use Map in the AuTrain Township Master Plan the sixteen mile lake area, and additional areas in the township are designated WR-2 (Waterfront Residential Two).
Chapt 11-6 “Therefore, two separate future land use categories have been created to apply to properties on or near the waterfront, Waterfront Residential 1 and Waterfront Residential 2. The major difference in the intent of the two districts is that Waterfront Residential 1 allows for the preservation of existing commercial resort development in addition to single-family and two-family residential uses. The Waterfront Residential 2 district is intended for the preservation of quiet residential neighborhoods except for other uses which are compatible with and convenient to the residents in the district.”
A petition signed by approximately 70 residents and land owners in this area presented to the township board and this commission states “I fully support the AuTrain Township Zoning Ordinance as it is currently written concerning the land use in the 16 Mile Lake Area zoning district (LS/R2). The ordinance’s stated intent “for the preservation of existing quiet neighborhoods free from other uses except those which are compatible with and convenient to the residents in this district” reflects history and is a good plan for the future”
The Township is now faced with a costly law suit by a landowner in the 16 Mile Lake district because of the incompatibility of illegal transient lodging accommodations. These transient lodgings will also be incompatible in this district in the future and further legal costs will plague AuTrain. Additionally the taxpayers will be burdened by police, maintenance, and other infrastructure costs that accompany commercializing a formally residential neighborhood.
Adding transient lodging accommodations, better described as hotels with no rules, by this commission to the Waterfront Residential Two districts is in my opinion in contempt of the AuTrain Township Master Plan. It is also in contempt of the people of AuTrain, as it defies their will and because of the total secrecy concerning the activities of this commission by not publishing any of the minutes for the taxpayers of AuTrain to see what this commission is up to. The legal costs caused by this reckless maneuver will take taxpayer’s monies that would certainly be better spent on development.
