Timber Shores Supporters
Our supporters shared their letters of support with us
Leelanau Township Planning Commission:
I am writing regarding Timber Shores. I fully support Timber Shores and their endeavor to bring vitality, jobs, and commerce to Northport. As a small business owner, who sells firewood and does snowplowing, just as many others in the community, we can see many benefits to the community as well as our small businesses. Northport exists and has made a come back in recent years due to small businesses. If small businesses did not exist in our community Northport would not be anything more than houses. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Northport saw a drastic drop in businesses, as well as tourist. In the past few years Northport has thrived and made a comeback as a popular destination. The addition of a campground is very beneficial to commerce in Northport. Not only will it allow people to enjoy the area we call home, but it will also bring money into the community from retail, restaurants, the grocery store.
My family loves to camp. We go any chance we can get, which is slim in the summer. One of our favorite places to camp is in the heart of Byron Center, called Woodchip. This campground is approx. 5 miles northwest of Tanger Outlet Mall in Byron Center on Burlingame Ave SW. You would never know there was a campground there. They have a pool, giant jumping pillow, tractor rides, bike and trike rentals, foam parties on giant slip n slides, ice cream socials, church on Sunday (optional), glow stick parties, a little camp store, tons of activities, and every site has a campfire pit. They have a “honey wagon” come around for a small fee to empty waste from the travel trailers. The premium lots have sewer hook up and water hook up. Most site have water hook up. In total there are about 110 sites, laundry/bath house, dog walk area, trash area, overflow parking for guests of those camping, as well as a pavilion for ice cream socials and church services.
What I am asking of the planning commission is to put the rumors to rest. There seems to be quite a few rumors milling about that are creating a toxic atmosphere with folks who don’t know whether to support Timber Shores or be against Timber Shores.
Also, I ask those of you who are spreading the rumors, go to the source and get facts before you spout off lies and rumors in the Enterprise.
Furthermore, John Sanders and Georgie Murray, husband and wife, need to step back and recuse themselves from any decision making, voting, and let those who do not have a conflict of interest handle these matters. It is disgusting that they think they have a right to partake in voting and decision making when it comes to Timber Shores when they have a distinct and publicly known conflict of interest.
Thank you for your time.
Rebecca Carlson
Northport
To All Concerned,
I have been traveling to the Leelanau Peninsula for 50 years. I have driven M22 to Northport since the 80's. The traffic is always heavier in the Spring, Summer and Fall months because of the many points of interest in Traverse City, Suttons Bay, Omena, Northport, Leland, Glen Arbor. Travelers who would visit Timber Shores for overnight stays are already traveling the peninsula. It is deceitful to suggest that adding a RV park would cause traffic jams on M22. Please consider all the traffic to the casino in Omena, wineries in Suttons Bay and Omena, the State park and the Northport lighthouse. It is also a fact that the peninsula has limited availability for those travelers who wish to have an extended stay on the peninsula. The Timber Shores RV Park would add more opportunities for an overnight stay.
If there is concern about wastewater contamination of the peninsula and bay, should we consider closing the casino in Omena and halting all development throughout the peninsula? Timber Shores has submitted effective plans to manage effluent from the proposed RV park.
The objections to the proposed RV park based on traffic and effluent concerns are not based on fact but reflect conflict of interest of a select few. The peninsula, the bay and the lake should be accessible to all visitors who wish to have an extended stay to enjoy the beauty of the area for more than just one day. Please consider sharing the beauty!
David Firlit
Nonie Steele shared her letter to the editor of the Leelanau Enterprise with us. It’s reprinted here with her original headline.
Remember the Golden Rule
To the editor:
I have driven by the “save the bay – no Timber Shores” signs for a long time now. I admit that many of these were placed by my friends, but I feel obligated to share my opinion.
I have been coming to Omena for most of my 72 years, living here permanently for 24 years. I remember vividly when Timber Shores was built. Many of my friends worked there. I have not one single negative memory of Timber Shores during those years.
So…….I want to express my deep belief that Timber Shores should be re-built. Part of my reason is the economic growth for Northport and Omena, as well as surrounding areas. That economic statement being said, I want to remind permanent and part-time residents that these people are good people that they have/want to vacation in an RV is something we should be proud to offer this spot for them here. We can and should share this beautiful place with those in need/want of a more economically friendly vacation spot.
Please please remember that not everyone can afford to rent a cottage — rebuild Timber Shores and help us welcome these folks here for their family vacation. It’s a BIG lake and NO one owns it.
Nonie Steele
Omena
Although we all lived in Leelanau County, my Father's partner in business would take his family and camp at the Timber Shores Campground. One of the perks we enjoyed was getting to go and visit them. It was so much fun and so beautiful. The campgrounds were nicely spaced out and the trees added to the spacing of the camp sites. The water was great to swim in and we enjoyed all the fun things we did there.
My Junior year in High School all the schools in the area got together and had the Junior/Senior Prom and we did it at Timber Shores. It was just beautiful. The windows looked out on a beautiful landscape and with our decorations it was so memorable.
I would like you to consider allowing this beautiful property to be used again. It would put a smile on my face and that of many others, knowing that other people can enjoy this beautiful peninsula.
Linda Lingaur
Lake Leelanau MI
I am a Leelanau Township resident who lived here during the time period when the original Timber Shores Resort was thriving. It was a source of employment for me as a teenage waitress and I remember how busy and vibrant the downtown business area was during that time. Tourists drove through Suttons Bay, without stopping, to visit the many shops in Northport. There were no ecologic issues. It will surely be even safer 50 years later. As long as the new resort has plans to handle waste and keep the bay safe it should be approved.
Please approve the plans for the new Timber Shores Resort. I find it difficult to understand how more recent visitors and residents are against something that was so good for our area. The planned resort area is large enough to support the additional tourist visitors and Northport was well able to handle the influx in the 70's and can do so now as well.
Lorrie Kalchik McCurdy
Northport, MI
We would like to urge your positive approval of the Timber Shores RV park proposal. This project is critical to the continued existence of the Village of Northport and Leelanau Township. The Village needs to add business and certainly needs more living accommodations for seasonal and service employees. We believe this proposal would satisfy those needs.
The last Timber Shores project, approved years ago, when I was on your Planning Commission, specified a percentage of the housing be “affordable”. An approval of this project should provide some affordable sites for RV’s and/or “tiny houses”.
The developer has done an admiral and complete study of wetland problems and nicely mitigated them.
Thank you for your positive consideration.
Bill and Nina Collins
Northport
August 25, 2020
Mr. Doug Scripps,
I worked at Timber Shores Resort Campground as a summer employee from 1973-1976. My responsibilities included making reservations, checking campers in upon arrival, working with the many delivery services that brought supplies to the campground and other office management tasks.
At that time it was a thriving family vacation spot for many people wanting to enjoy Northern Michigan. It provided a much-needed place to stay in an area that lacked, and still lacks, adequate accommodations for visitors to Leelanau County.
Timber Shores offered deluxe camping with a wide variety of activities for adults and children. To fully staff the campground, many local people were hired each season. The resort employed workers in maintenance, office work, water sports, restaurant and arts and crafts. It also kept local excavating companies busy. The local economy flourished as campers shopped locally for groceries, bakery goods, gasoline and propane, and gift and souvenirs.
I was very impressed with the concept of camping that Timber Shores offered. The families loved it and many returned year after year. I was sorry to hear of its closing. As a resident of Leelanau County, I am aware of the need for tourists to have a place to stay when they come here, I like the ideas the new developers have to make it an appealing place for cabin rentals as well as sites for RVs to rent. The economic boost a venue like this would provide to the area is welcoming.
I do remember Saturday traffic was a problem on the busiest weekends in July and August. I understand the new owners have explored more up-to-date ways of moving traffic at the entrance coming off of M-22.
I am excited to learn about a revitalization of the property that once was a vacation destination for many fellow-Michiganders.
Sincerely, Nancy Wick 426 N. Stony Pt. Rd. Suttons Bay, MI 49682
August 24, 2020
Mr Douglas Scripps, Township Supervisor
Mr Stephen Patmore, Zoning Administrator
Members of the Leelanau Township Board
Members of the Leelanau Township Planning Commission
Ladies and Gentleman:
I write to you to express my support for the application for the redevelopment of the Timber Shores Resort presently before you for approval. The return of the use of the property in the requested manor will reestablish our community to the forefront of areas in America offering premier, safe and secure camping facilities for families and visitors to enjoy the beauty that makes our area so special while at the same time protecting the special nature of this property.
My own relationship with the property goes back to the original Timber Shoes, when I can recall friends and their families from all over the Midwest visiting and enjoying our area. We would frequently join with them at their campfires reuniting with them from past times and enjoying their thrill of bringing there families to enjoy the special beauty of Norther Michigan. The current proposal will recreate that atmosphere and return a sense of vibrancy to our area that his been missing since the closing of the park.
The economic impact of this development should not be ignored. I anticipate that it will be similar to that which occurred during the operation of the original park. Good family entertainment was consistent with good seasonal economic activity for the entire region, and I believe that it will return with the redevelopment of the Park as proposed.
The Development Plans express sensitivity for the property and the region, satisfying current and important environmental considerations that simply did not exist in when the park was originally built. These rules are complex and do go beyond the layman’s prevue, but I believe that the plans that I was able to see “online” reflect that the developers have met and most likely gone beyond the required standards for the contemplated improvements being made to the property reflecting the Developers’ commitment to the environment. If lacking in any way I believe that the township’s review will point out modifications that need to be made to meet or exceed appropriate standards.
Finally, I do know of the developer’s background and standards. While they have been confronted with challenges as most in this industry have, they have a reputation for ultimately getting things done. I have every reason that will be the case here as well.
Your approval at this particularly challenging time I believe will be a statement of your desire to address the use of this property in a manner most consistent with the nature of our community. It is not a group of big buildings that most likely would not be in keeping with the our desires, but utilizes the property its most natural way, consistent with what I believe is the goal of the vast majority of those who chose to call our community home.
I know the scope of this development takes an unusually large amount of you time for consideration, and I thank you for your time spent on it.
I would appreciate it if you would please distribute this letter to the members of the Township Board and Planning Commission.
Very Truly Yours,
Michael Jacobson
11572 North Snyder Road
Northport, Michigan
Good Afternoon,
I am sending you this letter of support for the Timber Shores RV Park. We have owned and operated a business “WaukazooTees” in Northport for the past 25 years. I believe this development will have a positive affect on the community of Northport for both residents and businesses.
This development will provide revenue to local government in the form of taxes and fees. It will provide revenue to business by shopping, eating and sightseeing and most importantly, provide fulltime jobs to local residents and summer jobs for students home from school, which are badly needed within our community. Other benefits of this development; exposure to our community, new home purchases, new students for our school, volunteers for our summer events and boats visiting our marina.
It is my hope that after careful consideration you will give the green light for this project.
Thank You,
Mark J. Jensen
Dear Mr. Patmore,
I’m writing today in support of the proposal to develop a recreational vehicle resort south of Northport.
As someone living in Northport during the 1960s and early 1970s (I was in college part of this time, coming home on weekends, etc.), I know that local businesses flourished during that time, thanks in large part to the visitors who came to spend a weekend, a week or more at the first Timber Shores RV Park.
Many of my friends worked there summers in well-paid jobs that helped them build their college funds and all of us in Northport felt welcome at the various activities at Timber Shores. The park was well-known throughout the community as a great place to be.
As a long-time Northport resident I’ve seen the town flourish economically and I’ve seen it fall on hard times. The Timber Shores proposal offers an opportunity to bring back that economic vitality to this area.
I urge your support of this proposal and all it can bring to our community.
Thank you,
Theresa (Terry) Gremel
August 18, 2020
TO: Doug Scripps Leelanau Township Supervisor
Steve Patmore-Inspections Department
Monica Diaz-Leelanau Township Clerk
Leelanau Township Board members
Leelanau Township Planning Commission
Re: Proposed Timber Shores Development
This letter is in regards to the proposed public water park/campground development for the old Timber Shores property.
I understand that some people have expressed concerns that there will be traffic problems on M-22. My whole family worked there at some point from 1971 until it closed. I worked there in the summer from 1973 through 1977. Three of my sisters worked in the front office taking reservations, checking people in and out. Saturday was the day that people arrived and left. The campers ha d to be out by 11:00 am and check in time was 2:00 pm. There were rarely any traffic issues.
There wasn't a problem with noise other than the sounds of kids playing in the water or swimming in the outdoor pool during the day. The indoor pool was completely enclosed so no noise was coming from that pool. On Saturday nights, they ha d teen dances with live bands. My husband's band played there for years. The dance started at 9:00 pm and ended at 11:00 pm. The local kids were welcome to come to the dances and my sisters and I always went. The dances were inside a building so the noise was kept down. The kids were not allowed to "hang out" outside the building. They had security making sure the rules were followed.
There were 700 camp sites at that time and they were booked most of the summer. This new development won't have as many sites therefore reducing the number of people and noise.
Timber Shores brought a number of people to Northport and the surrounding area. These people ate in the local restaurants, shopped in the gift stores and bought groceries in the two grocery stores we had. They also bought gas and diesel at the two gas stations in Northport.
This campground had a great impact on the economics of the area. Not only did the campers shop in Northport, some of them bought property and settled here, paying property taxes. The campground also provided jobs for adults and older children. A number of the staff was local high schoolers or college kids home for the summer. It provided jobs for Kal Excavating and Kalchik Disposal. lt provided jobs for many adults from the area. They needed people who could build and maintain the buildings and amenities. They needed people to be department managers for the maintenance of the grounds!sewer system, electrical systems, etc. The infrastructure was immense. People from Northport and the surrounding area were happy to have the employment.
When Timber Shores and Leelanau Memorial Hospital closed, it had a devastating impact on this little village. It was no longer able to support two grocery stores, two gas stations, three or four restaurants and bars, numerous gift shops, etc. Northport was thriving at t hat time. Suttons Bay was the village that was suffering financially. Now, it's the opposite. North port would benefit tremendously from this camp ground development.
Northport needs this development. Northport is a destination, not somewhere you might be passing through. It needs something to bring people back to the village. It's a delightful, quirky place that gets missed because of its location. Please do not pass up this opportunity to bring something back that was successful and impactful in a positive way for this beautiful village.
Thank you for taking time to read this. I appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Sheila Kelly Wick
2940 N. West Bayshore Drive
Suttons Bay, Mi 49682
From Deep and Angela Dhami at Deep’s Corner Store: Deep and Angela support this project for Northport. As a gas station and convenience store owners we believe this will really and truly help all the businesses in our beautiful town.
To: Doug Scripps, Leelanau Township Supervisor, Steve Patmore, Leelanau Township Zoning Administrator and Members of the Leelanau Township Planning Commission
From: Ruth Steele Walker and Scott Walker
Date: August 25, 2020
Subject: Timber Shores Proposal
We are writing today in support of the Timber Shores proposal for a family-oriented RV Campground and Beach Resort. We are currently working for NM Investments on this project, but even if we weren’t, we would support it wholeheartedly.
When Ruth was growing up here the development of the original Timber Shores took place. She was able to witness, first-hand, the change in attitude from skepticism about the success of a resort to appreciation for the business it brought to Northport and the jobs it provided Northport residents.
When Ruth left Northport in 1969 for college and when we married in 1973, Northport had a thriving business community. While we made trips to the area to visit Ruth’s mother, we usually stayed south of Northport at her home. It wasn’t until after she passed on in 1985 that we went into town and were appalled by how desolate the town was and how diminished the business community was.
Over the last decade we’ve seen a renewed optimism in Northport as well as efforts to build business. But we need more. An RV resort brings families to an area, it will bring business to our restaurants, the brewery, the retail shops, the golf course and more. One of the biggest issues facing our community is that we don’t have enough places for tourists to stay overnight, sending them back to Traverse City or to other communities to spend their vacation dollars.
In working on this project we’ve heard several myths spread as rumors: that there will be an amusement park. Not true. That Timber Shores will be the largest RV Park in the Midwest – again, not true. And those are only a couple of examples.
Northport and Omena are in large part dependent on tourism dollars. At present there isn’t sufficient infrastructure to ensure that visitors do more than pass through Omena and Northport on their way to the lighthouse. This is an opportunity to provide visitors with an amazing experience, allow them an opportunity to stay in our community and enjoy all it has to offer while benefitting the Northport and Omena business community as well.
We urge you to approve the Timber Shores project.