The Leland LightHouse has reopened its youth Christian clubhouse at 110 North Lake Street, despite a decision by the Leland Township Planning Commission last month to deny the organization’s request to operate there.

In a letter obtained by the Leelanau Ticker via FOIA request, Robert Parker – attorney for Leland LightHouse landlord Apollos Properties – informed the township the organization would “resume its activities” at the North Lake Street property starting in early May. Parker argued township zoning decisions are not enforceable while on appeal, a process Apollos Properties is pursuing for the Leland LightHouse decision.

The 110 North Lake Street property is zoned village commercial district (C-1), which doesn’t allow club uses by right. That zoning restriction led Apollos Properties last year to apply for a special land use permit (SLUP), which would have allowed Leland LightHouse to open a clubhouse for its youth Christian ministry in the space. Leland LightHouse is a branch of the multi-national Youth for Christ (YFC) movement.

Planning commissioners considered the SLUP application for months before voting to deny the permit request at a meeting on April 15. As expected, Apollos Properties is appealing the decision to the Leland Township Zoning Board of Appeals.

In a letter dated April 28 and addressed to attorney Tom Grier – who prepared the findings of fact that ultimately informed the planning commission’s denial decision – Parker cited zoning statutes which bar the township from enforcing decisions that are being appealed.

The Leland Township Zoning Ordinance says “an appeal shall stay all proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed,” unless the zoning administrator can show such action would “cause imminent peril to life or property, in which case the proceedings shall not be stayed otherwise than by a restraining order, which may be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals, or, on application, by court of record.”

Since Apollos Properties has filed an appeal of the planning commission’s April 15 decision, Parker reasoned this particular zoning rule now applies to the Leland LightHouse and its denied SLUP.

“Beginning in October of last year Youth for Christ suspended its activities at the property while it awaited issuance of a special land use permit,” Parker wrote. “The purpose of this letter is to advise the Township that while the matter is on appeal before the Zoning Board of Appeals, Youth for Christ intends to resume its activities (as outlined to the Planning Commission) at the property commencing Tuesday, May 5th. If the Township contends that there is a legal basis prohibiting resumption, please let me know immediately.”