CENTRAL LAKE -- Hundreds of trees could soon fall to make way for a new paved road near the eastern shore of Torch Lake, a decision that troubles some local residents.
Officials with Antrim County's Central Lake Township voted to improve Lake Street, Terrace Avenue and Alberta Lane, three short residential roads off Torch Lake Drive. Several residents expressed concerns about the loss of nearly 300 trees in their neighborhood, higher traffic speeds and the alteration of the "Up North" character of their quiet spot along the lake.
"The main reason we don't want the road paved is because we love it the way it is," said Mary Lou DeTar, who owns most of the property along the horseshoe bend created by the three roads. "It's going to be a lot of trees because they have to widen it."
Preparations are expected to begin late this month and the paving project will be completed this summer. The work will cost the township $104,570 and the county will pay $23,651 toward prep work, records show.
The roads will become 20 feet wide with drainage areas.
Proper drainage is another concern for some: The loss of trees for blacktop creates worries about storm water runoff into nearby Torch Lake, said John Chuchman, a lakeshore homeowner who opposes the work.
Aesthetics are also a major factor, he said.
"It's a beautiful walk each morning," said his wife, Marilyn Chuchman.
The township's goal is to pave all public roads and the project is part of that, officials said.
"Over time, it's cheaper to have them improved than to work on them constantly," said Stan Bean, township supervisor. "The board decided we had this plan set up and we're going to stick with it."
Dirt roads cost money to continually grade, control dust and prevent erosion into the lake, he said.
Bean voted against the project because of residents' complaints, but the project passed in a 3-2 split vote.
"It's hard. I respect everybody's viewpoint and what you have to do with different people with different viewpoints is to try to work things out. Sometimes you can't," Bean said.
Some residents will attend the May 21 board meeting at the township hall and express their opposition to the work, including DeTar and Churchman.
Print this story
E-mail this story
