Charlevoix is known for being the quintessential Michigan tourist town where people flock to enjoy stunning lakeshores and a cozy downtown. We also have great schools, quality amenities and a strong sense of community for those who live here year-round. However, if we don’t start building and preserving more year-round housing then we will struggle to maintain these values with strong and sustainable sense of community.
Unfortunately, our ability to maintain that reputation is becoming severely strained due to the housing crisis that has plagued our community and those across Northern Michigan for years. Rising home prices have priced the average family out of the region. According to data from the National Association of Realtors, the median home price in Charlevoix County has increased by nearly 40% since 2010 – in the City of Charlevoix it’s even worse.
The popularity of short-term vacation rentals and seasonal homes has made the problem worse in Charlevoix. Right now, less than 40% of homes in Charlevoix are occupied by full time residents. The lack of available homes makes it difficult for our school district to hire teachers, our hospital to hire nurses and technicians, and for the businesses that thrive on tourism – or any businesses, truly – to hire staff.
The solution is clear. We need to build more housing that is reserved for year-round residents. This designation is important. For any new housing built, we want it to be reserved for people who live here all year long, regardless of whether it’s a family working at the hospital or a family working in the service industry. The nonprofit organization Housing North estimates Charlevoix County needs to add 1,628 homes and 730 rental units over the next five years just to meet demand across all income levels. We have the opportunity to take a great step forward toward that goal by voting “Yes” on a Charlevoix ballot question this November and “No” on another.
The two questions on Charlevoix’s ballot ask city residents what to do with vacant city land on Stover Rd – the land that previously had the Department of Public works. One question asks whether to use the land to build a new park, and the other asks whether voters want to designate that same land for housing for full-time city residents.
The former city Department of Public Works property on Stover Rd. has been designated in the city’s master plan as an ideal location for housing for the past 30 years. Voting “Yes” on the housing proposal will make that long-term vision a reality by instructing the city to create a public process to select a developer who commits to developing that land specifically for year-round residents.
The alternative proposal would turn the Stover Rd. land into another park. It’s important that voters reject this proposal. Charlevoix’s parks department notes in its most recent planning document that the city already has more parks than other communities its size in the region with a surplus of 135 acres of park per capita. And this location is not a good location for a park.
In addition, turning the vacant city property into a park is estimated to cost taxpayers $2 million in installation costs, maintenance, and lost revenue from the sale. This is not in our budget. The main beneficiaries of this proposal, a few of whom helped create this proposal, would be the landowners adjacent to the property who will essentially get a new taxpayer-funded front yard.
It’s also important to point out that the same adjacent property owners have tried to falsely equate a vote on this proposal to Ferry Beach. Voters should not let themselves be misled. The Stover Rd. property on the ballot has nothing to do with Ferry Beach.
The bottom line this November is that a community is strongest when it is filled with year-round residents who are committed to making it the best place it can be. We urge Charlevoix voters to consider which proposal will meet the needs of our community the most. The only answer is to vote “Yes” on new year-round housing and “No” on an unnecessary and expensive new park.
Aaron Hagen, Deputy Mayor
City of Charlevoix