Two months ago, Nick Christi, the owner of Christi’s Bar & Grill, gave an impassioned speech to the township board.
Among other things, Christi, who would like to operate on the patio he built in the front of his building, called the township’s engineering and site plan fees ‘exorbitant.?
Christi operated the patio last summer, but stopped after being told he needed a special land use permit.
‘A large investment is just sitting there and not generating revenue,? he said.
‘We’re in some sort of economic slump in this state,? Christi added. ‘They make it difficult and expensive. There’s a certain time when they have to bend a little bit.?
For his part, however, Christi said the township department heads he’s encountered, particularly Building Official Tom Berger, do a great job.
But, he would like to see the township revisit their current fee schedule and see if something can be done.
Trustee Matt Gibb spoke after Christi’s speech, and said that he would like to bring an agenda item forward to do just that at some point this summer.
In Christi’s case, Berger said there are obstacles that don’t exist for most other business owners in the community.
‘Obviously, we like any business to succeed and he’s a good business owner,? Berger said. ‘He’s spent a lot of money on his renovation.?
But that renovation is partially to blame.
‘The biggest difficulty with Mr. Christi is that he never had an original site plan on file,? Berger said, noting that when expanding to the exterior of the building, he then needed a site plan.
‘We have all these conditions in place now that weren’t in place when the original structure was built,? Berger said.
In addition, Berger said the township receives only a minimal amount of fees that are paid in, with most going to outside sources like the engineers, planners and attorneys.
Those fee structures were put in place by the township board.
‘I can’t control the contracts that are already in place,? Berger said. ‘We can’t do it for much less.?
Berger and Township Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk said Orion is very similar to other townships in the area in terms of their fees.
‘Orion Township is not out of line with our fees,? Dywasuk said. ‘Our auditors came here and said that we’re not bringing in enough money to offset the cost of our building department.?
Dywasuk said other communities would love to be in Orion’s situation, but it’s a struggle across the board in Michigan right now. Berger agreed.
‘I’ve sat down and analytically looked at it for 2008,? Berger said. ‘I don’t know how we’re going to reduce anything.?
He added that he doesn’t believe the township will raise any fees given the current economic climate.
‘The rungs just ran out,? he said. ‘We’re not climbing up, we’re climbing down and it’s a shame.?
Christi said the biggest shame of them all is that the small-town feel of Orion Township has suffered the most.
‘I’ve been here for 30 years,? he said. ‘What you’re seeing are more and more national corporations coming in and the smaller businesses are getting forced out.?
Look for a Review’d In-Depth next week with an update on the township’s sign ordinance.