Developers have plans to fill the Lake Street Property in downtown Petoskey, better known as “the hole,” but the public has concerns about parking.
Plans for what developers are calling the Petoskey Grand include a hotel and conference center, a theater, pharmacy, restaurants and 41 residential units.
Developers said, once completed, the project will employ many people in the area, but the public asked questions about where employees and visitors will park.
Michael Pattullo is the architect on the project. He said a parking garage is a part of the development plan.
“The project will have its own parking as it’s needed. If the city were to want to get on board and do some additional parking for the public’s use as a part of the underground deck, they have the opportunity to do that,” Pattullo said.
Unless the city decides to partner with the developers for extra public parking, the city will not fund any part of the project.
Residents are also concerned about the proposed height of the new development.
The city zoning laws only allow for buildings to be 40 feet tall, but the Petoskey Grand would be about 70 feet at its tallest point. Pattullo said the development will only be that tall at a small point.
“We’re not asking for that [height] across the whole property; it’s important to remember that, when you hear about this height,” Pattullo said. “It’s just that bell tower that’s in the center. That’s the most critical height element that people are talking about.”
Pattullo said the majority of the building would be about 50 feet high. Developers said they are asking the city of Petoskey for a zoning change to allow for the taller development.
Developers made computer generated images of the development, showing what the project would look like from critical points throughout town. Residents agreed after seeing the images, the height of the development wasn’t as big of an issue as they once thought.
Developers said they also plan to ask for a zoning change to allow residential first floor units in downtown to accommodate the proposed brownstones. The current zoning laws require all first floor units to be retail.
The Planning Commission is expected to decide on Thursday, July 25 whether or not to approve the development plans.