Eagle Lake Improvement Association Newsletter Sept. 2013 | Page 5

A Summer Full of Fun on Eagle Lake

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he summer has been flying by, as usual! This year started off with a great Spring Clean Up chaired by Kay Weber. Many volunteers helped clean up our roadways from US 12 to North Shore Drive and Lane Road to Oak Springs Road. Thanks those who helped! The annual Wine and Cheese event brought nearly a hundred lake neighbors to the wonderful party hosted by Francee Foster and Rick Newman. Two paintings by lake resident Amanda West and a painting by Coy Jancowski were donated for a silent bid. Thanks to Francee and Rick for hosting a really great party. The 4th of July Fireworks were spectacular! The weather cooperated and made it a truly wonderful night. Next year’s fireworks are already slated for July 4 on a Friday night. Mark your calendars!

The Poker Run, chaired by Rich Swift and Kurt Ohlson, was also a great success, even with challenging weather. Everyone seemed to have fun and the pier stops were fabulous! Thanks to those who put in so much effort to make the event really fun for everyone! The Eagle Lake Triathalon, while not an ELIA event, was a success and great exposure for our beautiful lake and surrounding area. Thanks to Eagle Lake Marine for hosting it and to all the lake volunteers who helped. Lake folks continue to Meet in the Middle and on the east end to enjoy Eagle Lake. Let’s keep having fun while taking care of our lake, too. Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who give hours and hours of their time! ?

Get Involved!

Attorney’s Letter
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Ordinance, as amended (the “Zoning Ordinance”). Ontwa Township (the “Township”) has not yet granted any zoning approvals. In fact, it is not clear whether the proposed marina, boat launch, and elated parking facilities would be allowed on the Property without a variance or rezoning. Whether or not the DNR’s proposed uses are a permitted use (subject to Township site plan review and approval or denial) is an issue presently pending with the Ontwa Township Zoning Board of Appeals. As you know, the DNR and State of Michigan are fully subject to the Zoning Ordinance. See Burt Twp v Michigan Dept of Natural Resources, 459 Mich 659 (1999). Second, the DNR must obtain a formal approval from the Cass County Road Commission (the “Road Commission”). The lake frontage on the Property along Eagle Lake is entirely located within the public road right-of-way for Eagle Lake Road, which is under the jurisdiction of the Road Commission (as verified by past court decisions). Although the Road Commission did discuss the DNR’s proposal at its meeting on July 18, 2013,

ELIA President Margie Allan speaks about the DNR proposal on WNDU-TV at the May 30 “open house” meeting.
no final action was taken by the Road Commission. In fact, the Road Commission indicated that it would not make a final decision until holding a public hearing on the matter. For the DNR to proceed with the purchase of the Property at this time without either having a zoning approval by Ontwa Township or approval from the Road Commission would be both unwise and unreasonable. ?

lan to attend our local government meetings to learn more about and have a voice in the operations of Ontwa Township. • Township Board meets on the second Monday of the month at 7 pm. • Planning Commission Board meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7 pm. • Zoning Board of Appeal tentatively meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 pm. Call the Township to confirm the meeting (269-6632347). • Fire and Ambulance Boards: The Fire Board meets the first Tuesday of every other month at 7 pm with the Ambulance Board immediately following at 7:30. The meeting months are February, April, June, August, October and December. • Police Board meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7 pm. All board meetings are held at the Township Hall, 26225 US 12, Edwardsburg.

Elizabeth Loring