Michelle,

First, I would like to compliment you on a well run public hearing at the Community Center in Grand Haven. I have no doubt that you and your team members are on top of the lake elevation data, the crest of the dune and other environmentally-focused issues.

Next, it is difficult to comment on things like the storm water run-off, the construction staging and etc. when so little information was provided by the permit applicant.

For the record, I would like to say that I am not opposed to a new structure in that location that meets permitting and zoning criteria. Depending on the parameter, I may not even be opposed to a variance or two. However, I am opposed to the plan I saw at the Public Hearing and to the plan, if depicted accurately, which is currently before the city.

With regard to the photo and quote below, both taken from the Bil-Mar web site:

• I’m not sure when this photo was taken but the existing restaurant and its deck appear to encroach on the beach and be relatively close to the lake, even in “good times” (meaning not times of peak lake elevations.
• The photo also shows where the west side outdoor parking lot and the first floor of the partially below-grade parking lot would be located. All of the parking plus adding another two or three floors above that would, in my opinion, make a very imposing and unattractive addition to the public beach. It becomes more of a concern when you factor in a shift of the proposed new structure further west toward the lake and running the parking lots out to the edges of the property (i.e. no set backs).
• I believe that both of the current proposed plans will adversely impact the “serenity and beauty of the lake” that the Bil-Mar is now promoting.

“…While the restaurant has survived many battles with the wrath of Lake Michigan throughout the years, it has been the serenity and beauty of the Lake…."

http://www.grandhaven.com/~bil-mar/