Chickens and a Jet Ski business on Village Council's agenda Monday

Fri, Jul 3, 2009    to del.icio.us

SPRING LAKE — Village Council has wide-ranging items on its work session and regular meeting agenda Monday night — with discussions scheduled on everything from chickens to Jet Skis and a potential new liquor license/banquet hall facility.

The 7 p.m. work session at Barber School, 102 W. Exchange St., begins with a discussion of permitting chickens in backyards. Former Village Councilwoman Linda Albonico and her husband, Keith, are requesting the council review a zoning ordinance from Ann Arbor that allows chickens (but no roosters) in residential backyards.

The work session also includes a proposal by Kevin Molter who would like to operate a commercial Jet Ski livery at Mill Point Park. Molter proposes that customers would be picked up offsite, along with the Jet Skis, and brought to the village park for launching.

Village Manager Ryan Cotton suggests that if council eventually approves the plan, that there be an annual fee involved — perhaps $500 — and a one-year trial period.

Council also plans to review the Michigan Department of Transportation response to its lane change request on M-104 between Cutler and Division streets.

The regular meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. It will include a decision on issuing one of four available on-site liquor licenses to Seven Steps Up LLC, a banquet and event center at the former Masonic Temple, 116 S. Jackson St. Property owners Gary and Michelle Hanks will be present to answer any questions, according to Cotton.

Village Council applied for the new downtown economic development tool in May 2008. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission gave the village approval to issue up to four local liquor licenses within the central business district at a cost of $20,000, payable to the state.