September 27, 2012 UPDATE
The Cheboygan Planning and Zoning Appeal Board on September
26, 2012 made an attempt to thwart Mr James Haslock’s “wildcat” commercial pole
barn development in a platted residential subdivision in Topinabee.
Mr Haslock’s vocal supporters were two fellow investors in
Mr Haslock’s “wildcat” commercial pole barn development; Donald Eaton and Gary
Nordberg. Mr Nordberg, was the purchaser of one of Mr Haslock’s first three pole
barns approved by the Cheboygan Planning and Zoning Appeal Board in 2005 for “personal”
use by Mr Haslock’s family. Mr Eaton apparently purchased a lot with an
approved variance issued to Mr JHaslock to market with a “home” lot and then
built a 2000 sq/ft pole barn in 2006.
Both of these fellow investors, who stated
they do not live in Topinabee, but on Mullett Lake, touted the quality construction
of their pole barns and expressed “their” opinions that the appearance and
esthetics these and the other three pole
barns Mr Haslock’ still owns enhance the neighborhood.
A number of Mullett Township residents, Supervisor Bill
Morgan, and even a resident or two from Tuscarora Township voiced their opposition
to Mr Haslock’s “wildcat” commercial pole barn development in the Jenn-Lu Clair
Addition to Topinabee.
The Cheboygan Planning and Zoning Appeal Board unanimously voted
to deny an 800 square foot floor area variance. They unanimously voted to deny a 15 foot front
setback. They unanimously voted to deny the requested side yard setbacks. They unanimously
voted to deny a variance requiring a 6 foot high screen fence or hedge. Mr
Freese stated to Mr Haslock, your variance appeal is denied.
What is different about these pole barns??
Mr James Haslock's "Wild-Cat" commercial pole barn development in the historic Jen-Lu Clair 1909 Addition to Topinabee. Five pole barns built in residential zoning in 2005 and 2006, approved by Cheboygan County Planning and Zoning with multiple variances for the number of pole barns, the size of buildings and reduced setbacks for front, sides, and rear yards.
Four pole barns built in Pellston, Emmet County. Commercial zoning with no negative impact on residential areas.
The difference is the failure of Cheboygan County Planning and Zoning to protect the residents of Topinabee and Cheboygan County. The standards that justify zoning have been over-ridden or over-looked to allow James Haslock to profit by building, renting, and selling stand-alone commercial pole barns in a residential neighborhood.
James Haslock, by building, renting, and selling stand-alone pole barns with the approval of Cheboygan County Planning and Zoning has forever changed the character of this quiet residential area. Local residents property values have been permanently and negatively impacted.
Now, with further property acquisitions to enlarge his "wild-cat" commercial enterprise, James Haslock is back before the Cheboygan County Planning and Zoning Appeals Board asking for more variances to construct additional pole barns. His application, tabled at the August meeting requires a variance for the number of pole barns, front, sides, and rear setbacks, as well as a request to not construct any greenbelt or fences to block the nice view.
Mr Haslock stated he owns the adjacent pole barns, meaning he has not yet sold them, and his plans require adjacent pole barns to use the adjacent side yard property to access each pole barn. He states he wants to use every available inch of property to build pole barns to dissuade out-door storage.
Where are the elected officials of Mullett Township and why are they so quiet?
They apparently see nothing wrong with these pole barns. Call them and voice your concerns.
Do they really think James Haslock's pole barns, built right in the middle of an established residential neighborhood are good for Topinabee?
Over 20 Topinabee residents have already signed a letter protesting more pole barns.
