To the editor:

Does anyone think a seaplane charter business should be allowed to locate next to a nature preserve, an active bald eagle nest and a quiet residential neighborhood? Well, it appears that Portage Township officials are on a path to let Jon Rector relocate his business, Isle Royale Seaplanes, to the former Onigaming site. The former Onigaming property, lately known as Pilgrim Point, is just south of the Nara Nature Park and an active bald eagle nest, and just north of a residential area. A seaplane charter business, with multiple flights daily, 7 days a week, should not be allowed to locate here!

Here is what has occurred so far:

– December 15, 2021 – Developer Jon Julien asks Portage Township Planning Commission to add seaplanes as a permitted use at the former Onigaming property which is zoned B-2 General Business District.

– At the same meeting the Planning Commission approves it with no dissent and without a public hearing, citing that current zoning permits helicopters, and seaplanes are generally the same type of business.

– December 27, 2021 – John Ollila, Portage Township Zoning Administrator, submits a letter to the Houghton County Planning Commission asking for approval.

The problem with the above is that the current zoning only permits “Landing and take-off areas for roto-craft.” Allowing a roto-craft to take-off and land at a business, to bring in customers or employees, is a reasonable permitted use, as it wouldn’t happen regularly or very often. But the zoning says nothing of allowing a roto-craft charter business, with its multiple daily flights, seven days a week, and would necessitate fuel storage and other ancillary buildings, including a hanger for maintenance and storage. And that’s beginning to sound like an airport, which is only allowed in areas specially zoned for manufacturing.

And the B2 zoning states that any of the businesses “…, they are to be regulated in a manner that will protect any abutting residential districts.”

Also, according to Michigan law, the Portage Planning Commission is not allowed to change any wording in their zoning ordinance, without using the same procedure they used in adopting it. And that procedure is having a properly posted public hearing before voting on it.

We believe many of the Planning Commission members would have voted differently if they had heard the above explanations.

Here’s what you can do. Let’s use public opinion to help the Portage Township Planning Commission and the Portage Township Board, understand the mistakes they are making and convince them to change direction.

Please contact Bruce Petersen, Portage Township Supervisor – supervisor@charterportagetwp.org

Please contact Melanie Kueber Watkins, Portage Twp Planning Commission – mkueber@mtu.edu

Please contact John Ollila, Zoning Administrator – zoningadm@charterportagetwp.org

Also, contact the Houghton County Planning Commission to tell them to reject the seaplane zoning change that the Portage Township Planning Commission sent to them.

Please contact Dianne St. Amour, Houghton Co. Planning Commission – diannestamour@hotmail.com.