The City of Manistee has two hotel projects at different stages in its approval process. The Hampton Inn, is a two-acre site surrounded by the First Street Beach area, where a 24 room motel with parking exist. The Gateway project hotel site is where the House of Flavors, with 33 parking spaces, stands.
The City of Manistee Zoning Ordinance should be used to determine the legality of any projects in the city. If the Hampton Inn is in zone R-1, low density residential, than table 3-1 of regulations shows a maximum height of 35 feet, 2.5 stories with a maximum lot coverage of 40%. Zone C-1, regional commercial, height is 40 feet, 3 stories with 60% coverage. Table 3-2 Land Uses, shows zone R-1 use by right for a single dwelling and no special land use allowed for a hotel; zone C-1 allows a hotel by right.
The Gateway is in zone C-3, Central Business, allowed height is 50 feet, four stories, with 100% lot coverage. Section 509 of the zoning ordinance covers height restrictions in more detail.
Both projects fail section 514, Parking Requirements, which states, “The parking spaces called for hereunder shall be considered minimum requirements under the ordinance.” For hotels it shows one space for each rentable room. The Gateway proposal has a 300 seat event center. Places of public assembly must provide one space for each four seats of legal capacity, adding 75 more parking spaces.
If guest staying at these hotels can’t park on the hotel property, where will employees park as well as our local residents wishing to use the hotel’s shops and restaurants?
I agree with the May 18 letter to the editor from Lori Pawlias, "Project shouldn't be labeled PUD to circumvent zoning laws, says reader". The commission is using Section 1870 to skirt around existing ordinances to approve these projects. How far can you bend the rules and stay legal?
John Bowers
Manistee
May 21, 2021 at 02:23AM
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Bowers: Proposed projects skirt existing city ordinances - Manistee News Advocate
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