Planning Commission OK’s Antique Shop Site Plan

HARRISON – Aside from approval of its meeting minutes for May 17, June 13 and July 11, the Harrison Planning Commission had two basic items to consider at its Aug. 8 meeting. The first was a minor site plan review for 105 E. Main St. [the soon to be vacated Harrison District Library building], and the second was a zoning map change discussion requested by Red Oak Development [the property across from Family Fare Supermarket].

Malisa Dinnan submitted the site plan application which satisfactorily answered all the City’s Site Plan Review Ordinance Requirements of Zoning Code 9.1 through 9.6. She plans to convert the building into an antiques resale shop, and she was quite forthcoming with questions and her intentions for the shop, as well as ensuring she complies with any and all regulatory requirements of the City. She described the shop’s intention to be “antique/repurposed without the flea market look.”

The intended shop result was compared to Morning Glory in Houghton Lake: quality products offered with a rotation that keeps the merchandise from becoming “stale” to the customer. She assured that merchandise would be closely monitored: no Playboys, nothing political, and staying “away from any controversy whatsoever.”

In all, commissioners were highly positive in their response to the proposed shop and voted unanimously to approve Dinnan’s site plan.

“Welcome to Harrison,” said chair Stacy Stocking. “We’re excited to have you, something new.”

Commissioner Don Patch added that he was “excited because it’s going to bring people.”

The discussion of changing Red Oak Development property zoning from R2 go C2 stemmed from the owners’ query of “if” a buyer wanted to put a retail store on the property, would the City consider rezoning it? If the answer was a definite “no” then a retail buyer could not be pursued.

Representatives of Red Oak were not present, so Planning Commissioners’ discussion centered primarily on the limitations C2 zoning would impose on residential development and the potential disruption to those residents of the existing group of condos. The initial development plan proposed extensive condo structures, and to change that midstream would be contrary to the originally approved plan/zoning.

George Muscott noted that there is not a lot of residential property available in the city now. Commissioners voted to table the item and remain open to entertaining future discussion with Red Oak Development – noting it would be wise to invite condo owners to such discussion.