[2nd UPDATE: The Portage Township Planning Commission has scheduled a Public Hearing with a Meeting to follow, beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 9, at Houghton High School auditorium. The hearing is scheduled to hear a "special use" request for seaplane operations in the B-2 zoning district.]
[IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to COVID positives with the Portage Township Planning Commission membership, thus concerns over having a quorum present, the Public Hearing and Meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 19, announced below, has been cancelled. Tentatively, it will be rescheduled for either June 9th or 16th, both Thursday evenings. The date/time and place will be posted and announced shortly. Click here for the official Portage Township announcement.]
PORTAGE TOWNSHIP -- Susan Schwenk, a wildlife photographer who lives near Pilgrim Point on Portage Lake, loves photographing the bald eagles who make their nest at that site, which is now projected to become a Seaplane Airport Base for Isle Royale Seaplanes.
Schwenk has shared with other residents her concerns about the destructive environmental impacts such a project would have, not only on the eagles but also on air and water quality and the peaceful atmosphere of this area along Portage Lake, which is next to the Nara Nature Park and trails.* She also mentioned to Keweenaw Now that the Isle Royale Seaplanes company has plans for working with Viking Cruises to offer air excursions along the Keweenaw Peninsula in addition to trips to Isle Royale.**
Since the Portage Township Planning Commission is holding a Public Hearing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, on a request for a Special Use under the B-2 (general business) zoning district to allow the Seaplane Airport Base, Schwenk organized a protest on Saturday, May 14, at Pilgrim Point to create awareness of the threats a Seaplane Airport Base would pose to the area. During the protest, she explained to Keweenaw Now how she first became involved in the issue and why she organized the protest.
During the May 14 protest local residents displayed their signs to passing traffic on US 41 and chanted their concern for the bald eagle residents.Local residents opposed to the Seaplane Airport Base project express their concern for the eagles at Portage Point and for the nearby Nara Nature Park trails, which provide a peaceful walk next to Portage Lake.*
The Vollwerth family joined in the protest with two of their children. Portage Township resident Robert Vollwerth said he lives just three houses down from the proposed location for the Seaplane Airport Base and has enjoyed fishing in Portage Lake.
"It won't be a quiet neighborhood anymore," Vollwerth said.
Michael Gervais, who lives in Bootjack, a community across Portage Lake, opposite the Pilgrim Point site, participated in the protest, complaining about the noise and disturbance already caused by the seaplanes.
Mary Schwenk Chopp, Susan Swenk's sister, also participated in the protest and commented on why she wants the area to remain as it is.
"I believe we have to preserve our way of life here," Mary said. "People love our area for the beauty and peace. We don't want our area to become like Traverse City where the locals can't afford to live here. I hope and pray our elected officials fight for us and our wonderful way of life. I choose trees over a parking lot any day! Not many locals will use the seaplane but thousands every year enjoy the peace of the Nara's Nature Trail."
Portage Township Trustee Bill Fink explained to Keweenaw Now the procedures that the Isle Royale Seaplanes company and the developer would have to follow should the Special Use under B-2 zoning be allowed. He described the Seaplane company's announcement that they plan to operate at this location before going through zoning requirements as "arrogant." He also mentioned the historical significance of the former Onigaming supper club building on the property.
Portage Township Supervisor Bruce Petersen said more public hearings would be part of the process should the Special Use be approved.
"It's a long process and it's very transparent and there are public hearings along the way to hear what the developer is proposing and to learn about the site plan," Petersen told Keweenaw Now.
May 19 Public Hearing on Seaplane Special Use in B-2 Zoning District
[UPDATE: The Public Hearing and Meeting have been cancelled. See announcement above.]
The Portage Township Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2022, to consider amending the Zoning Ordinance to permit seaplane operations as a Special Use in the Township's existing B-2 zoning district. A regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting will immediately follow the Public Hearing.
The public may attend the hearing and meeting in person in the Portage Township Hall, 47240 Green Acres Road, Houghton, or via Zoom. The Meeting ID is: 836 3991 6832 The Meeting Passcode is: 428175.
Note: During the Public Hearing public comments will be limited to 3 minutes per person.
Editor's Notes:
* Click here to learn about the nearby Nara Nature Park and trails.
** See the Viking Cruises ad for "flightseeing" -- the Keweenaw Peninsula By Air.
Previously, in 2020, the City of Houghton Planning Commission had recommended proposed zoning ordinance 2020-315 to the Houghton City Council for a seaplane business to be located on Canal Road within the City. Residents on both sides of the Portage Canal protested and the proposal did not receive approval. See our December 16, 2020, article, "Residents concerned over City of Houghton proposed re-zoning along Canal Road; wetland, Cole's Creek to remain protected in R-1 zoning."
Resident opposition to proposed zoning ordinance 2020-315 on the seaplane business was also included in our February 23, 2021, article, "City of Houghton to hold Feb. 24 Public Hearings on rezoning proposals 314, 315; residents express environmental concerns."
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