Committee approves license agreement to formalize parking at historic Ottawa Beach

The Ottawa County Planning & Policy Committee voted to forward a license agreement to the Board of Commissioners that would formalize parking accommodations at historic Ottawa Beach in Park Township.

Speaker 2 moved to approve and forward a license agreement between the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission and property owner Mary Collins; the motion would also authorize the parks director to take necessary steps to implement the commission’s intent. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

A parks staff presenter described a long legal history for the park properties and said the right-of-way in question is an unimproved or “paper” right-of-way that the county holds in trust for the public. He said the county had previously used similar parking licenses for nearby cottages.

“That is what we call the right of way. It is a right of way only on paper,” the presenter said, adding that the license being approved is “nonexclusive” and revocable so the county could reclaim access if long-term public access improvements or first-responder access were needed.

The presenter said work in the area falls under critical-dune rules and requires permitting from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and township approval, and that parking accommodations identified in the meeting packet could be used as alternatives if needed.

Committee members asked for clarification about whether the license allowed on-street parking or signs; staff said the unimproved area was essentially a dirt area adjacent to property and that the license does not authorize public parking beyond the nonexclusive arrangement with the resident. The motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition and will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners.