Park Township Neighbors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Park Township, Michigan – Local nonprofit Park Township Neighbors (PTN) has engaged the Frost Center for Data and Research to conduct an economic impact study regarding short term rentals in the Holland area.

The Frost Center is a social science research center at Hope College that has conducted other local studies, including studies on the economic impact of Tulip Time.

An economic impact study generally attempts to determine the amount of income generated in an area due to the activity being studied. This income can affect area jobs and businesses.

PTN was formed in response to Park Township’s surprising ban of vacation rentals, which have long been a part of the fabric of the community.

Because as the Planning Commission chair said in the June 2022 meeting, “There have always been rentals in Park Township. Cottage rentals, family rentals. That’s been going on for more than a century.”

PTN would like to keep it that way. Our primary goal is and always has been working together to improve everyone’s experience in Park Township.

We deeply appreciate the natural beauty, wide range of recreational opportunities, and high quality of life that Park Township offers residents and visitors alike, and want to see that continue.

That means allowing a limited number of well-integrated vacation rentals to continue to exist.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On December 1st, 2023, Ottawa County Circuit Court Judge Jon Hulsing heard and granted Park Township Neighbors’ (PTN’s) motion for a preliminary injunction.

The judge ruled in favor of PTN. As a result, Park Township cannot enforce its ban on short term rentals until the case goes to trial and is settled.

PTN believes the township’s ban on short-term rentals, including its subsequent attempts at amendment, is unlawful and should be declared void.

As a part of meeting Michigan’s preliminary injunction standard, PTN had to show that they are likely to succeed on the merits of their claims in their lawsuit against Park Township.

This preliminary injunction is good news for the more than 120 members of the non-profit (a number of whom are Park Township residents) who stood to otherwise suffer irreparable harm.

While not a final ruling in the case, being granted the preliminary injunction is significant.

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Interested parties can view a copy of the injunction here.

Media contact:
Jeremy Allen, neighbors@parktownshipneighbors.com

About PTN:
Park Township Neighbors (PTN) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit social welfare organization established by families, individuals, business owners, and community leaders working together to improve everyone’s experiences in Park Township. For more information, visit ParkTownshipNeighbors.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yesterday, Park Township Neighbors (PTN) learned that the lawsuit filed against Park Township will not be resolved by an early settlement, thus requiring taxpayer money to defend the lawsuit.

PTN would like to see the long history of visitors staying in our beautiful lakeshore community continue. The previous, small number of vacation rental homes made up around 3% of available housing.