ELK RAPIDS -- Some Elk Rapids residents worry about local decision-makers' plans to put up a parking lot on a patch of paradise.
The Antrim County village along Grand Traverse Bay has a busy marina during summer months, hectic enough that parking spaces are at a premium. Village officials proposed building a 100-plus-space parking lot on a natural area between the marina and sandy shoreline, known as the Dam Beach recreation area.
Plans also call for an additional boat ramp, picnic areas and a bathroom facility.
Not everyone sees the plan as a positive solution.
"We can't understand why you would make a sand dune into a parking lot," said Susan Ash, a nearby resident and president of the Bay Breeze Condominium Association.
"We are saddened to think this pristine natural area between the marina and bay would be paved," said Abby Husband, a nearby Elk Rapids resident. "It isn't we're against development, it's just we feel natural, open areas are valuable."
Village President Dan Reszka said he's glad residents have concerns and hopes they attend public meetings to discuss the issue.
"Just because a proposal is brought forward doesn't mean that it's a done deal," Reszka said. "I'm waiting to hear all the public input before I make a decision."
Elk Rapids' harbor commission proposed the project after being turned down for a state grant on a previous idea that would have re-paved existing parking areas and created a new bathroom structure. The new proposal aims to remedy parking congestion at the harbor, said Robert Orschel, a village council member who also sits on the harbor commission.
"We do have a parking problem. All summer long we shuttle cars and trailers over to the high school. There's not enough parking at the harbor area," he said. "This is definitely a solution. We wouldn't have proposed it if we didn't think it was a solution."
Orschel said he's not completely sold on the idea, but believes it may be the best possible answer. He wants to hear public discussion at a coming hearing, he said.
"Elk Rapids is a destination. You have a lot of people who want to launch here," said Cheryl Werth, the village's harbor master.
Werth declined to comment on the proposal's merits but did say it won't move forward if the public is opposed.
Reszka said the village intends to apply for another state grant, should council members approve the new marina project. The grant application deadline is April 1, and a public hearing will be held March 8.
If you go
Who: Anyone interested in the Dam Beach recreational area project
What: Attend a public hearing to share opinions
Where: Governmental Center, 315 Bridge St. in Elk Rapids
When: March 8 at 7 p.m.
More information: www.elkrapids.com under the village link, or find opponents' Facebook page called "Save the Dam Beach" with its more than 1,000 members
