10/05/2006

Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
Peter and Margaret Haddix say increased boat traffic has created more noise pollution.

Group looks to reduce boat traffic

Townships asked to limit docks to two boats

BY BRIAN MCGILLIVARY

bmcgillivary@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — The Silver Lake Improvement Association wants Blair and Garfield townships to reduce watercraft numbers on the lake by limiting individual docks to two boats.

Peter Haddix, the association's government liaison, said a recent survey showed that homeowners on Silver Lake have four times more motorized watercraft than recommended by the Michigan Lakes and Stream Association.

"On the weekends in the summer (the lake) gets particularly crowded," Haddix said. "We have some bottlenecks, and people aren't slowing down."

Haddix said the association monitors boat traffic and has observed dangerous incidents and near collisions.

"Our primary concern is safety on the lake and maintaining the lake's quality," he said.

The proposed changes wouldn't impact use of the public boat launch on the Grand Traverse County lake that spans both townships.

The Silver Lake association also wants the townships to restrict developers' ability to "keyhole" onto the lake. Keyholing is the practice of using one parcel on the lake to serve lots without water frontage.

Under current zoning, an existing parcel in Blair Township with 600 feet of frontage could provide water access to 101 homes. The association wants to limit access to one home for each 50 feet of frontage and limit to one the number of docks for every 100 feet of frontage.

The townships couldn't force existing docks to be removed nor reduce the number of boats at existing docks, but the limits would apply to new docks and those that have two boats or less.

Planners from Blair and Garfield townships haven't endorsed any specific proposals but both planning commissions expressed a willingness to address the issue. They also want to make sure any new zoning ordinances are identical in both townships.

Garfield Township's planning commission will invite Blair Township planners and a representative of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to talk about ways to regulate lake watercraft activity and review similar concerns at other lakes. Planners hope to hold that meeting on Oct. 25.