Attached is a partial copy of the November 18, 2009 Oceana Herald Journal which detailed some of the issues in the Timberlake expansion. The following comments relate to this article.
Yes, the keyhole is indeed a "hot button" subject which has been ignored by both the Township and the campground. These two paragraphs are in the PUD which approved Timberlake's expansion in 2004.
Paragraph 5: The resort shall be limited in its operation and physical entirety, to the east side of Ridge Road.
Paragraph 6: Keyhole to Lake Michigan omitted.
When the expansion was approved, we asked what those two sentences meant while the Township Board meeting was in session. The legal counsel basically stated that he didn't know because that was a legal question. As of today, we have not had further guidance or explanation regarding the matter.
The Ridge Road neighbors consider that the sentences are clear and define the campground boundaries to the east side of Ridge Road and that the keyhole is not part of the PUD. Yet, the campground has allowed patrons to freely use this beach access with no fulltime supervision. Basically, anyone can park and use the beach facilities with no campground oversight. This has resulted in late evening activities which are loud and threatening to neighbors on both the north and south borders. In addition the open use of the key hole is contrary to the Township's Master Plan which prohibits such beach usage.
The Master Plan does not endorse mixing commercial and residential zones so that the citizens will not have their homes encroached upon by new and/or expanding businesses. In this regard, the Board approved a second expansion for Timberlake, the second in five years. One has to ask how many more are in store for those who reside in a family oriented residential neighborhood.
Perhaps the most deplorable aspect however, are the procedures taken by the Board in both expansions. Each time, Board members, Timberlake owners, and the neighbors met to work out a compromise. Much to our surprise, we were led to believe all was well until the actual vote which reversed the negotiation in favor of Timberlake. Each approval overturned the Planning Commission's recommendation to the Board. We feel deceived and betrayed by the very people we relied upon as our Township officials.
Another most frustrating problem for our Ridge Road Neighbors has been the complete absence of zoning ordinance enforcement. This matter is evident in our area and we are concerned about the campground's sale because new owners may well try to create another Val Du Lak on our door step. If so, our confidence in zoning ordinanaces being enforced is near zero. You can be assured, however, that we will be front and center demanding assistance.
The neighbors have always recognized that we were not born and raised in Golden Township. Never the less, we tried unsuccessfully to become contributing citizens even though we sensed we might always be considered outsiders. These experiences confirm our worst fears because we believe strongly that this country is a democracy governed by law. We regret we do not always see that in Golden Township and are considering options which may give us relief. You will be advised if we are successful.