EAGLE RIVER – The Keweennaw County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday denied an unconditional rezoning request for Black Bear, Inc. more commonly known as Mount Bohemia Ski Resort, on the Gay Lac La Belle Road.

The request to rezone approximately 80 acres of leased land along Sand Point Road, Lac La Belle, in Grant Township was originally submitted in September 2024. The request was to rezone two parcels from Single Family Residential (RRB) to Resort Services (RS2). It was met with stiff opposition from many county residents as well as those living outside of Keweenaw County, largely because it was submitted without any kind of future development plan if the request was granted.

At a public hearing of the County Planning Commission in January, Black Bear, Inc. President Lonie Glieberman said the company is requesting rezoning of 80 acres of the 1,100 acres it has under lease from The Nature Conservancy. Currently, 1,020 acres are zoned as RS2, while 80 acres are resort residential.

“We just want contiguous zoning,” he said. “There are no plans for developing this area,” adding that that does not mean there will not be development in that area at some future time. It means, he said, there are currently no plans for development there.

At that January meeting, Zoning Administrator Susan Hockings said under Michigan law, and the County’s zoning ordinance, Black Bear has the legal right to request the zoning change, and the request is consistent with state law and county zoning ordinances. She quoted the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act 110 of 2006, Chapter 125.3405, Sec. 1, subsection 5:

“A local unit of government shall not require a land owner to offer conditions as a requirement for rezoning. The lack of an offer under subsection 1 shall not otherwise affect a landowner’s rights under this act, the ordinances of the local unit of government, or any other laws of the state.”

In her Staff Planning Report, published on January 10, Hockings stated she found the rezoning request is also consistent with the County’s comprehensive plan, Blue Print for Tomorrow. It specifically has the first goal, she said, Future Growth and Development, which lists five policies, the first of which states:

“Through land use regulation ensure new developments function as extension of existing development patterns including Copper Harbor, Lac La Belle, Gay, and Eagle River as extended vacation, seasonal, and permanent residential communities: and Copper Harbor and Lac La Belle as tourist-oriented business/residential communities.”

The analysis report states the county’s Future Land Use Map shows the property in question is appropriate for Resort Service land use, which is consistent within the immediate area and with the request.

In spite of the reports, residents opposing the rezoning overwhelming express their fear that without a plan for the property once it is rezoned, there is nothing prohibiting Black Bear from developing the property any way the company sees fit, even to creating a sea plane landing in Lac La Belle, even though no plans for one have been submitted.

At Wednesday’s October Board of Commissioners meeting, Commission Chairman Don Piche said he, County Clerk Julie Carlson and Hockings, spoke with the county’s attorney. The attorney, said Piche, was at a point where it was necessary to vote on the issue.

Commissioner Mike LaMotte expressed concern over granting the request.

“I feel that if we make a vote, as it stands,” he said, “I’m afraid it’s going to turn into a protracted legal battle that’s going to take people’s time and the county’s money, and slow things down for Black Bear.”

A legal battle would take years, LaMotte said. No one is happy with the issue.

“It’s a waste of our money, it’s going to turn people against each other and it’s not worth it,” he said.

LaMotte suggested a conditional rezoning approval

Commissioner Randy Eckloff said he understands the concerns of the neighboring property owners, particularly with no stated future development plans.

Commissioner Rob DeMarois also opposed the request as submitted.

“If he (Black Bear) wants to make some changes, okay. We need something concrete,” DeMarois said. “If he has no plans now, what’s the big deal? If we wants to make some changes”

The motion to deny the request was made by Eckloff and supported by LaMotte, request, who voted to deny the request. DeMarois and Rajala voted in favor of the rezoning. Piche also voted to deny the request.