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.
PTN’s lawsuit indicates that the township violated the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act by banning short term rentals without proper notice or a hearing. PTN is not asking for monetary damages in the lawsuit, which was filed on October 5, 2023.
The Park Township Board of Trustees has elected to let the case continue on to court rather than:
- amending the zoning ordinance to properly ban short term rentals,
- continuing to allow short term rentals as the township has done for nearly 50 years,
- or agreeing to a compromise such as reasonable regulation on a limited number of short term rentals
Because the township’s insurance claim on this matter was denied, the township will need to pay out of pocket to fight the lawsuit in court. PTN has incurred costly legal fees, so this will likely be a costly endeavor for the township as well.
“PTN has no wish to spend taxpayer money on this, but does desire that Park Township’s elected officials follow the law. It is unfortunate that this appears to require a court case,” says Kyle Konwinski of Varnum, lead counsel for PTN.
Should PTN prevail in the lawsuit, an unlimited number of short term rentals will continue to be legal throughout the township unless and until a ban or regulations are properly enacted by amending the zoning ordinances.
“While continuing to allow an unlimited number of short term rentals township-wide is not the desired goal of PTN,” says PTN officer Jackie Beck, “we recognize that the township’s Board of Trustees must do what it feels is best.”
PTN still hopes to find a win-win solution.
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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.