“The kids lost tonight,” says Diane Smith. She and her husband, Brad, have spent months in their effort to convert the former Clarklake Community Church into a Montessori daycare, ages 3-12. That process involved carefully developing plans to convert the building to the new use, reorienting the surrounding land for an outdoor playground, safe and adequate parking, and addressing the concerns of neighbors. Expressing frustration, Diane said “Tonight that ended.”
Diane’s comments are based on decisions made by the Columbia Charter Township Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) on variances the Smith’s requested at a meeting on Thursday, May 2nd. The key issue involved parking. After the meeting, Diane said “the board said no to our request to expand parking, and we can’t have a school if we don’t have enough parking.” Why the ZBA turned down their most important request revolves around zoning. The former church building is zoned commercial, but the parking lot that was used for years by the church (just north of North Street) is zoned residential suburban. Because of that, the parking lot is considered “nonconforming.” So, the Montessori request to the ZBA was for “expansion of the nonconforming use parking lot on the north side of North Street.” By a 3 to 2 vote, the ZBA denied the request. Other setback requests involved with parking were not denied, but modified. “They denied our request to expand and then squeezed more space out of what was left.”
Diane summed it up like this “Clark Lake doesn’t want us. The boaters have won.” She is referencing their plan to fence the parking lot for the safety of parents and kids. That would mean an end to boaters parking their trailers in the lot.
Where will this go from here? The only option to appeal the ZBA ruling is in Circuit Court. Brad Smith, who is an attorney, is uncertain they will do that. Both Brad and Diane mentioned other possibilities. The building could be razed to make way for housing, or the building converted for some other use. The Smith’s have a substantial financial outlay in this project thus far. Feeling Montessori is at a dead end, they will have to ponder the next step.
At a previous meeting, several Vining Street neighbors spoke out, some angerly, on their opposition to the project. Dropping kids off and picking them up would create more traffic, they believed. They also feared that parents driving out of the parking lot would continue west on North Street and leave by heading east on Vining. The Smith’s say they would prevent that. With police permission they would place traffic cones on North to stop it from happening.
Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA)
Previous stories on this website:
Montessori at Clark Lake Update – Clark Lake Spirit Foundation
Update: Montessori Pre-School at Clark Lake – Clark Lake Spirit Foundation
Former Church Building Has New Owner – Clark Lake Spirit Foundation
Click to view the Columbia Charter Township Zoning Ordinance
Click to view the Columbia Township Zoning Map
That’s BS!!
The ZBA board has made another bad decision. This project is welcomed by many in the area.
A great educational start is the best way for our community to grow.
The in & out boaters , continue to withdraw resources & never deposit anything positive to the community. As they do routinely at our two lake parks. This ZBA must consider Zebra Mussels & other water related issues as positive deposits for growth.
Hopefully the school owners will follow the appeal process. I feel bad for them & their capital investment in the area.
That decision is a real head scratcher? Is the ZBA elected, or are they appointed and they volunteer?
I won’t pretend that I am knowledgeable about Zoning laws or the multitude of changes necessary for the Montessori School to become a reality. It seems that Diane and Brad Smith have done their due diligence from the beginning.
I am a retired educator/administrator and what I do know is how great the need is for quality educational opportunities for children. I am not saying that the schools available in the area are not of good quality. I am saying that children and their parents need options and the Montessori philosophy is grounded in successful data over many, many years.
I understand that change is hard and the neighborhood residents have some legitimate concerns – if I understand correctly, the Smiths have proactively addressed those concerns.
What bothers me almost as much as the loss of educational opportunities for area children? And I truly hope that I am wrong, is that “The boaters have won.” Clark Lake has been fighting invasive weeds for 10 years. It’s the boaters who are not Clark Lake property owners who come and go from lake to lake that are a continued invasive weeds polluters. Those boaters are the ones who do not want to lose their parking.
I realize that I am long-winded here but I am passionate about learning opportunities for children as well as keeping Clark Lake clean and beautiful. The Montessori proposal could have been a win-win.
We need to prioritize education for our children. My daughter is a kindergarten teacher and young students need early childhood development now more than ever. This is just sad and shortsighted.
This is so sad and such a loss for the community. I am a young mom with 3 kids and have had such a hard time finding nurturing childcare. I was so excited about this project. The idea that this zoning board would put up such meaningless barriers is incomprehensible. They should be ashamed.
I think they should close off the parking lot for a season.
The board should be ashamed of “letting the boaters win”. This school, and Brad & Diane would be a positive addition to the community, as well as something that is desperately needed for new parents. They have discussed the concerns of the Vining St. residents and are willing to work with them. We have “Non-conforming”uses for parking and residential needs all over this lake. This board was short sighted indeed, and should reconsider their vote. I do hope Diane & Brad continue forward to the Circuit Court and perhaps schedule another residents meeting with the township.
It’s so sad that the short-sighted zoning board won again. They will allow non-Clarklake boaters to continue to come on the lake and cause us to treat our lake for invasive weeds. They should be charged a fee or have to buy a sticker that gives them permission. I surely hope the Smiths fight this.
I am writing to express my strong support for Brad and Diane’s pre-school parking proposal that was unfortunately turned down by the Columbia Township board. Brad and Diane are not just business owners; they are valued members of our community who have consistently demonstrated their commitment to providing quality education and care for our children.
Their vision for the parking lot and traffic is not only practical but also essential for the smooth functioning of the pre-school. Their proposal for the lot would ensure the safety of the children and parents dropping them off and picking them up, as well as ease traffic congestion in the area.
Brad and Diane have always gone above and beyond to create a nurturing and educational environment for our children. By supporting their expansion plans, we are not only helping their business thrive but also investing in the future of our community.
I urge each member of the Clark Lake community to contact the Columbia Township board and express your disapproval of their decision. Let them know that we stand with Brad and Diane and believe that their expansion plans are in the best interest of our community.
What a terrible decision!
The boaters didn’t win. The parking lot is zoned residential suburban. There will soon be a home where that so useful and so ancient parking lot has stood. The parking lot should be “grandfathered” in place.
A fairly beautiful and still useful building with much Clark Lake history attached will now be erased from history. Would you like to see a picture of the horse stables that were used to keep the animals out of the weather. I wonder what parking rules were violated in 1912 when the first church was built on that site?
All to save a stupid rule: You can’t use it as a parking lot because we said it is to be used for a house. And yes we know that it has been used as a parking lot for the past 65 years! But rules is rules.
Tragic what governments can do to a community..
Badly done ZBA. A montessori would be been a great asset to the community.
Amen
What a shame! I was excited about a Montessori school coming to Clarklake. As a former first grade teacher, I know how important preschool education is. The Montessori method is unique. It fosters independence, a love for nature and learning among other things. What a loss for our community.
This is honestly so disappointing. We were so excited about this school!! And what a waste for that beautiful building now!
Education trumps boating. I would love to see a learning facility
The Clark Lake Area will sadly be missing out on a fantastic learning environment for their kids and the surrounding community. Montessori education offers real life skills that most early education options do not. For the small issue at hand I think the Columbia Charter Township and the Zoning Board of Appeals should reconsider what could be gained for their community.
What a shame for the young families of the Clark Lake community! They are missing out on a wonderful opportunity for their children.
Any issues hindering the licensing of the Montessori School at the lake should be readdressed. Quality education for young children is extremely important in this current climate. A Montessori preschool would be an asset to the community.
Such a missed opportunity for the vibrant community of Clark Lake! It’s disheartening to see the potential positive impact on young minds overlooked. Hoping for a reconsideration in light of the valuable benefits it could bring to the area.
It truly saddens me that the way I n which a parking lot is or is not used trumped the opportunity for an invaluable educational experience for young little humans. The zoning board should be ashamed that they saw some greater benefit in keeping boaters appeased more important than investing in an education that equips and prepares these young children for life with a love and passion for learning that will carry them through the rest of their educational career. These “littles” will one day be the very adults you will have to look to and trust to make decisions in the political realm. Lets hope despite the fact you have chosen to invest so little in their young life that they will still choose to invest more in your elderly life.
This is ridiculous that the board is choosing 3 months of lakers and boaters over children’s education. They really need to rethink this decision.
I support the Smith’s and hope everyone else on the lake does the same. I can’t think of any reason to deny the requested change. Keep on fighting!
Once again, a stagnant population refuses to budge for the betterment of a community and younger generation. George Carlin defined them best with his “Not in my backyard!” bit.
I feel like this has more to do with neighbors not wanting a change in their routine than it does with what would benefit an entire area. I hope an appeal happens, and the decision is given to someone who actually sees the value of a Montessori school, and a need for daycare and real world education being filled.
I support the Smith’s proposal.. The Montessori plan is a terrific option for this building and land. Early childhood development is so important for the next generation and I am shocked the Township Board does not recognize this and support this positive and progressive change for our community.
I recognize for many years this space has provided parking for trailers but all things evolve and it does not mean history is lost. Case in point it was just a few years ago that the topic of invasive species became a larger concern. For the love the lake, Clark Lake property owners accepted an assessment for the treatments. Yet there has been no consideration for visiting boats coming into the lake. Progressive states like Minnesota require a boat/motors to be rinsed down at lakes before entering the lake. The species can move lake to lake on boats. A fee is charged at the lake for the service. Perhaps this is an approach that puts fairness into the process. So this proposal is being turned down when it could be a huge win for the community. First and foremost, early childhood development for young families who are our future. Secondly this proposal reduces the risk of invasive species from boats not cleaned coming to the lake. Please Township let’s not be short sided and rather help the Smith’s get this over the finish line.
Our children and their education is far more important than a zoning issues. Do better by our next generation.
I believe a Montessori would benefit the community. Shouldn’t we be thinking more of our children, their education and future rather than boat parking?
As a former kindergarten and first grade teacher, I’m very disappointed in the ZBA ruling. There is such a need for early childhood education. The Montessori School would be a wonderful opportunity for the young children in the Clark Lake area. I hope the members of the ZBA will reconsider their poor decision. I believe the Smiths have done a good job in planning out the best layout and use of the property. They have considered the safety of the children and have tried to work with the neighbors. I hope they will continue in their efforts to get the school opened.
After some thought, I have had an epiphany!
The Smiths must now erect barriers around the zoned residential suburban lot to ensure that the 65 years of illegal use as a parking lot ends. Yes, there was a small house there 65 years ago that belonged to the church. We used it as a Sunday School room we tore it down to make a parking lot. : )
Our township police must now ensure that no boat trailers are parked on the residential lot until the barriers are erected.
Oh wait! Police don’t enforce arcane zoning laws. Probably why we church folks were never arrested?
So how do we enforce zoning laws: We stop businesses from being established in our township.
Sounds like a plan!
Amen
I now wish I had been at that meeting as what is reported here is not exactly what I heard was proposed…. I heard “closing North Street”, which if true seems unfair for the people already living there. I heard “blocking North Street” which also seems unfair. I heard “over 100 kids”… that is a lot of traffic for that area during drop off and pick up. I have lived very close to schools twice in my life and can honestly say it is a bit of a pain. I was lucky in that I could choose to just not leave my house at that time. Not everyone has that option. I apologize if I have any of that wrong and am open to being corrected. But if I’m right, I feel like some are being overly critical of the board and of the folks living in that area. I wonder if some who have written in would truly support such a traffic issue if it was in their backyard….there is a reason why the acronym NIMBY exists….Don’t get me wrong, I am also not a fan of the boat launch parking that happens there either and feel strongly that something should be done about that. But I would like more information on what the actual parking and traffic control plan was before I would criticize the board or the people who live in that area. It’s easy to support something that is NIMBY…
Safe education and childcare for upcoming young members of society far outweighs the importance of truck and trailer parking for boaters. While lake tourism does bring revenue to the area, I believe it is now more important than ever to invest in expanding education opportunities for area children. A school is a fantastic use of this building and should be welcomed with open arms by the members of the community.
How is this even a thought!!! The children need more education rather than people that have minimal respect for the community.
I honestly cannot believe that the zoning board and community would rather have out of town boaters that don’t offer anything to the community. The Smith’s are offering an educational opportunity for families and a business that will pay taxes thus benefiting the community more.
I hope that zoning board reconsiders their decision.
Totally agree with your comments!
100% appeal this decision. I support the Smith’s and this educational opportunity for the youth.
This makes no sense at all to decline such a wonderful educational opportunity for the area. That parking lot has been used for the church in the past and boaters for years and there has always been traffic coming out of that area as a result. This wouldn’t change that much at all. And controlling traffic flow with arrows and employees is accomplished at other schools in Jackson County.
What would change is a different educational opportunity would be available locally for youth and they would learn how to think differently. Therefore grow up to become leaders and make a future impact in this community and in society. It’s a different type of education that’s not offered here.
Plenty of rezoning for Clark Lake residents has been done, in the past and recently, but interestingly enough this gets a 3-2 vote. Something is very off here.
Why are the meeting minutes not posted and available to the Clark Lake public regarding this? Look for yourself.
https://twp.columbia.mi.us/zba-meeting-minutes/
Rules are rules and the meeting minutes not being posted and available to the public is against the rules.
And no boaters or vehicles should be able to park in the parking lot anymore either even though it’s been happening since before I was a kid and has never been enforced as its been zoned.
This makes no sense.
The kids of the community are missing out on a wonderful chance to grow and learn by not allowing the Smiths to bring the school to the area.
Already several schools of choice in the area including Jackson.
Appears that Montessori schools are great but unless they are following the Montessori program from K-12, how does this prepare them for the schooling in the Area they will have to transition to either way?