“Working together for our community to create a place where residents and businesses thrive, and where our environment is protected and enjoyed by both our residents and visitors.” So reads the Fife Lake township’s mission statement. But apparently some in Fife Lake, Michigan, draw the line as to how many visitors will enjoy that environment. Some locals have rallied to protest plans for a new RV park.
“Not in Fife Lake, not at this time”
After the would-be developer of Fife Lake Family RV Resort asked the local planning commission for a rezone on an area property, protest signs starting popping up. It would appear the proposal is not an exotic “glamping resort.” The plan would be to put in “up to” 130 RV sites.
Local resident Gordy Smith told media outlet upnorthlive.com, “We have a 620-acre lake with 192 cottages around it.” Smith added, “They want to put 140 sites and 25 acres in the back of a residential neighborhood. Not in Fife Lake, not at this time.” Smith’s objections included the proximity of the proposed new RV park to a school and Baptist church.
New RV park—400 or 500 people in 100 RVs?
Some residents of what’s described as a “quaint Northern Michigan village” were up in arms, apparently based on mathematics. “That’s a lot of people,” said Eric Frank, who lives in the village of Fife Lake. “One hundred RV spots could be, you know, 400 to 500 people on a busy summer weekend.”
It’s not clear if Smith’s and Frank’s comments are indicative of residents of the burg as a whole. Local media reports that a hearing on the rezone request will be heard in a couple of weeks. However, that same report said, when questioned, the village clerk had yet to receive minutes from the last hearing and so couldn’t schedule another meeting.
Staff from RVtravel.com attempted to access the planning commission files, following directions of the township’s public website. Our attempts were bluntly rejected by the system. Township officials were not available for comment at the time of publication.
How the hearing will go—when and if it goes—isn’t clear.
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Thank you, Russ and Tina! Well. Perhaps the people requesting re-zoning should hold meetings with local groups to see if some compromise can be reached that will elicit broad support (or eliminate all opposition). Their re-zoning request can include whatever restrictions the opposition wants to ensure that the developer follows through on the promises made. Then again, maybe there are no circumstances, restrictions that the opposition will accept other than “NO!” Maybe we’ll know more later. 🙂 Safe travels! 🙂
I learned to water ski on Fife Lake in the 60s. It’s not a big lake nor community. I think I understand their fear…130 sites is a largeish park. Infrastructure is not ready and I cant imagine the extra traffic. I’m afraid I agree with the locals on this one