Palm Street residents say the newest condos will block their Lake Superior views
MARQUETTE -- Tension is rising between the neighbors of Palms Street and the Landing Development Group on Lakeshore Boulevard. How high? Two stories to be exact. It's all over the coveted view of Lake Superior at Founders Landing.
The Landing townhomes have been in development for the last few years, but only recently really upset the longtime residents at Palms Street over a new construction.
Palms residents were never thrilled with the concept of development down on Lakeshore Blvd., but they kept tight lipped about initial condo constructions which were only two stories high; not high enough to obstruct their views. However, the latest three story phase of development has upset them, blocking Lake Superior from their sights.
"They put a three story condo building when they said my view will never be blocked," said 106 Palms Street resident Charlene Holman.
"The buildings are higher than they said they were going to be," said her neighbor, Cameron Hill.
But developers said they followed all the rules; they gave fair warning at multiple planning commission meetings. They also say they got what they paid for.
"It took a long time, it took a million dollars to purchase the property," said Lansing Development Group LLC managing member, Joe Constance.
The Landing residents will also get what they paid for in taxes, which run between $5,000 and $20,000.
At Palms Street, they pay a smaller sum of $1,000-$2,000, but Charlene Holman says any investment she's made is losing its value.
"That was a great selling feature for my house," she said. "That selling feature is now gone."
So why not build out, on the ground, instead of up?
"The planning commission said we want high density here; we want as many residences as possible," Constance said. "The lot is only so many feet long, but you've obviously got the height thing that you can add on units."
And while contractors continue to build up, Palms Street residents are planning to fight to have their taxes pushed down.