Trails End Site Plan Review: Promising Venue Ahead

Planning Commission Approves Pivotal Rezonings

HARRISON – At its March 8 meeting, the Harrison Planning Commission found multiple items on its plate: two rezoning requests and one site plan review. Also, under Old Business, the commissioners were informed of a Harrison City Council directive that they rescind the marijuana “opt out” ordinance and proceed with development of ordinance language that would allow for one marijuana retail store, geographically.

When asked by chairperson George Muscott why Council didn’t simply eliminate the “opt out” position, the city’s attorney Jaynie Hoerauf explained that the planning commission would have to come up with the new ordinance, and that she would provide a sample ordinance for the commissioners to review, then adjust to its needs.

Commissioner Tom House asked if the ordinance would need to include the application procedure, selection process, etc., and Hoerauf clarified that the repeal of the “opt out” would need to be the first step. That would be followed by the zoning piece which would indicate which parcel would be zoned for allowing marijuana retail, including any setbacks [which would prevent inclusion of other types of businesses in that zone]. And the final piece would be the regulatory portion, indicating what permits could be issued, including criteria for permits and inspections.

When asked why a marijuana retail couldn’t open up anywhere in the business district, Hoerauf explained that was why it is necessary to specify permissible use. Even so, if multiple entities apply for establishing their retails in the zoned area, the city still faces the prospect of having to use specific scoring criteria in making its selection among applicants.

The final item on the Harrison Planning Commission’s March 8 meeting agenda was a site plan review for remodeling at Trails End Pub, located on the southwest corner of the N. First Street and Townline Lake Road intersection. Proprietor Dan Wilhelm was accompanied by Brad Brussow of Prestige Products, which designs restaurants across the country. Brussow has done work in California, Florida and Grand Rapids, and also has for many years owned hunting property in the Harrison area. That is how he got to know Wilhelm, and he brought his expertise to the Trails End project.

It is considered a recovery project: the COVID-19 pandemic first caused the restaurant to close down, yet when things began to open back up Wilhelm was unable to secure employees. However, he now has developed a plan for renovating and reopening the restaurant/pizzeria/pub, taking on nearly every element of Prestige Products’ offerings: retractable and fixed [louvered] awnings, signage and custom patio and deck enclosures that enable all-seasons outdoor dining.

Prestige will take out the old siding and install a new log cabin siding, as well as adding awnings over the handicapped entrance, a new roof extending to the east side [First Street] with seating beneath, and the south side [along fairground] will have flat awnings along with fabric awning.

Brussow said the changes to the restaurant industry brought by the pandemic include the necessity for greater spacing indoors and additions of outdoor seating. To accommodate that, Trails End will have less seating indoors, but will add external deck patio dining areas which will be all-weather enclosable using special flame-proof fabrics that will enable year-round outdoor dining.

Wilhelm then described his proposed changes to the menu fare offerings. He spoke of the previous establishment, which had no license for selling liquor or beer, adding that application had been made for a license, but that it was still unknown if it would be granted. Wilhelm explained that there is hope, because his business is in a “revitalization area” which means it would be a special license. As only one license is allowed per 1,500 people, he said there is only one liquor license in the city, which is Budd Lake Bar.

Describing the previous menu as pizza, hamburgers (bar food), Wilhelm said that is what would continue for the indoor restaurant. He then asked where in the area do residents go for a good steak, scallops or lobster? Rather than lose those customers to restaurants in Mount Pleasant or Cadillac, he has decided to provide a specialty dining experience in the form of black rock table dining. He explained the experience: staff brings to the table an 800-degree volcanic rock on a wooden tray, then customers actually cook their food on that rock, at their table.

“You cook your own steak; you cook your own lobster; cook your own shrimp,” he said.

Commissioner George Muscott joked that Wilhelm might overcome the employee shortage that way, and Wilhelm quipped it would also mean never having a steak sent back because it wasn’t cooked as ordered.

This black rock dining will be done outdoors on the deck where there also will be tables with contained fireplaces in the center for ambience.

So, an outdoor higher end specialty dining menu, and an indoor pub fare menu – which Wilhelm referred to as “the best of both worlds.”

“Hopefully, the liquor commission approves this liquor license, and we’ll have beer, wine and liquor also,” he said.

Wilhelm added that his hope is that by the time the project is finished, people will be wanting to return to work. He also noted that while staffing is integral to the success of the restaurant, with a higher end menu, tips will be higher and that could serve as an inducement to waitstaff.

Wilhelm said live weekend entertainment is planned for the outside deck: karaoke, one-man-bands, in addition to music provided via a jukebox setup. He said the people at Wilson State Park campground would likely be able to hear it, but he had no concern about the likelihood of disturbing the neighbors to the west.

After further determining that snow removal had been adequately planned for as well as sufficient parking. and checking off all the other site plan review questions, the commissioners approved Wilhelm’s plan.