Support the Short Term Rental (STR) Ordinance in Columbia Township

Recent signers:
Eamon McMahon and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

This petition is to gather support for the new Short Term Rental (STR) Ordinance being proposed by the Planning Commission in Columbia Township, Grand Junction, MI. As outlined in Section 3.02 of the Columbia Township Zoning Ordinance, the Residential Resort (R2) Zoning intent highlights the necessity to preserve diverse housing options, including resort-related residences and enterprises. Currently, township officials have suggested a complete ban on STRs while the Planning Commission has been diligently working on a proposed solution through an ordinance and regulation.

The proposed ordinance aims to effectively regulate Short Term Rentals (STRs) rather than imposing a complete ban. It introduces critical rules for owners and guests in terms of trash management, noise control, pet regulations, septic system inspections, and occupancy limits, ensuring that these accommodations are integrated harmoniously within our community.

Short Term Rentals play a significant role in our local economy by supporting tourism and providing flexible housing solutions. They also generate additional revenue streams for property owners, which can lead to increased investment in local infrastructure and services. By embracing an ordinance that regulates STRs, we are not only supporting property rights but also fostering economic growth within the Columbia Township.

The ordinance provides a balanced approach, addressing community concerns while allowing property owners the freedom to responsibly utilize their spaces. An outright ban on STRs would undermine the goals set forth in the R2 Zoning intent and limit housing diversity, which is essential for a vibrant and thriving community.

I urge you to stand with me in supporting this ordinance. It's a reasonable and practical solution that aligns with our community's values and economic aspirations. By signing this petition, you can help ensure a sustainable and inclusive future for Columbia Township. Together, we can strike a balance between regulation and opportunity, securing the prosperity of our beloved community.

Please sign this petition to show your support for a regulated approach to Short Term Rentals in Columbia Township.

avatar of the starter
Janis HavicePetition Starter
Media inquiries

209

Recent signers:
Eamon McMahon and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

This petition is to gather support for the new Short Term Rental (STR) Ordinance being proposed by the Planning Commission in Columbia Township, Grand Junction, MI. As outlined in Section 3.02 of the Columbia Township Zoning Ordinance, the Residential Resort (R2) Zoning intent highlights the necessity to preserve diverse housing options, including resort-related residences and enterprises. Currently, township officials have suggested a complete ban on STRs while the Planning Commission has been diligently working on a proposed solution through an ordinance and regulation.

The proposed ordinance aims to effectively regulate Short Term Rentals (STRs) rather than imposing a complete ban. It introduces critical rules for owners and guests in terms of trash management, noise control, pet regulations, septic system inspections, and occupancy limits, ensuring that these accommodations are integrated harmoniously within our community.

Short Term Rentals play a significant role in our local economy by supporting tourism and providing flexible housing solutions. They also generate additional revenue streams for property owners, which can lead to increased investment in local infrastructure and services. By embracing an ordinance that regulates STRs, we are not only supporting property rights but also fostering economic growth within the Columbia Township.

The ordinance provides a balanced approach, addressing community concerns while allowing property owners the freedom to responsibly utilize their spaces. An outright ban on STRs would undermine the goals set forth in the R2 Zoning intent and limit housing diversity, which is essential for a vibrant and thriving community.

I urge you to stand with me in supporting this ordinance. It's a reasonable and practical solution that aligns with our community's values and economic aspirations. By signing this petition, you can help ensure a sustainable and inclusive future for Columbia Township. Together, we can strike a balance between regulation and opportunity, securing the prosperity of our beloved community.

Please sign this petition to show your support for a regulated approach to Short Term Rentals in Columbia Township.

avatar of the starter
Janis HavicePetition Starter
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

Kate Schrank
Kate Schrank
Planning Commission Chairperson, Columbia Township
Responded
“Good morning. I am Chair of the Planning Commission at Columbia Township. As an appointed township official, I cannot weigh in on a petition. However, I can share that the petition must become part of the public record for it to be considered by the Township. Below are guidelines on how to accomplish this. We have a meeting next week on Weds. Feb. 11th at 5:30 p.m. to address the pros/cons of short-term rentals in our township. In Michigan, introducing a petition into a public planning commission record requires following proper public meeting procedures to ensure it is officially received and considered. Here is the proper, strategic way to do it: Core Principle: The Petition Must Be Submitted as Formal "Public Comment" The planning commission's authority to consider evidence is governed by its bylaws, the Michigan Planning Enabling Act (PA 33 of 2008), and the Open Meetings Act (OMA). Digital or social media content like an online petition is not automatically part of the public record. It must be formally entered. Recommended Steps (in order of effectiveness) 1. Before the Meeting: The Most Effective Method · Contact the Planning Department or Clerk in Advance: Call or email the staff for the planning commission (often the Community Development or Planning Department). Inquire about their specific procedure for submitting written correspondence and digital materials for an upcoming agenda item. · Formal Written Submission: Create a concise cover letter/email addressed to the Planning Commission Chair and Members. In it: · Reference the specific agenda item (e.g., "Re: Public Hearing on Proposed Short-Term Rental Ordinance, Agenda Item 24-15"). · Explain that the attached/printed materials include a petition submitted via Change.org demonstrating community support for regulation. · Crucially, you must provide a tangible, legible copy. Print out a key screenshot of the Change.org petition page showing the title, purpose, and most importantly, the number of signatures (e.g., "500 signatures from residents within [City/Township]"). If possible, include a few representative printed comments from supporters (ensuring names are visible/redacted as appropriate for privacy). · Include a Summary: Provide a simple summary: "This submission includes a petition hosted on Change.org with over 500 signatures from verified residents of [Jurisdiction] in support of adopting strong regulatory measures for short-term rentals." · Submit this packet to the planning staff well before the meeting deadline (often 1-2 weeks prior for inclusion in the commissioner's packet). This ensures it is physically included in their background materials and demonstrates professionalism. 2. During the Public Hearing/Comment Period: The Essential Backup When the chair opens the public hearing on the short-term rental item: · State Your Name and Address for the record. (This is required). · Verbally Reference the Petition: In your spoken comments, state: "I have also submitted, in advance/am submitting now, a printed record of a Change.org petition signed by over 500 residents of our community supporting strong regulations. I request that this documentation be entered into the official record of this hearing." · If you did NOT submit in advance, have multiple printed copies. Hand one directly to the planning commission secretary, clerk, or chair at the podium. Offer copies to staff for distribution. Do not simply hold up your phone or refer to a link. The official record requires a physical or digital file submitted to the body. 3. Key Legal and Practical Points for Michigan · Open Meetings Act Compliance: The OMA requires decisions to be made in open session based on "reasons stated on the record." For the petition to be part of those "reasons," it must be formally presented and received during the meeting or included in the packet. · Weight Given: Commissioners may give varying weight to an online petition versus formal letters or sworn testimony. Its impact is stronger when combined with live, in-person testimony from multiple residents explaining why they support regulation (noise, housing stock, safety, etc.). · Verifiability: Be prepared for questions about verifying signatories are local residents. The summary in your cover letter should address this (e.g., "We have reviewed signatures and confirm the majority are from within the jurisdiction"). · Agenda Specificity: This only works if short-term rentals are already a posted agenda item. You cannot introduce new business under "Public Comment" if it's not on the agenda. What NOT To Do · Do not simply post the link in a meeting's Change.org comments (if they livestream). · Do not shout from the audience to "look at the Change.org petition." · Do not assume commissioners have seen it or will search for it independently. Summary of the Proper Way 1. Print key evidence from the Change.org petition (signature count, purpose). 2. Write a formal transmittal letter explaining what it is. 3. Submit the packet to planning staff in advance of the meeting. 4. Verbally reference and formally offer it into the record during the public hearing. 5. Encourage other supporters to give live, personal testimony to complement the petition. By following this method, you ensure the Change.org petition transitions from online sentiment to an official part of the planning commission's deliberative record in Michigan, maximizing its potential impact on their decision.”
Kenneth Speicher
Kenneth Speicher
Van Buren County: Columbia Township Supervisor
Responded
“State legislators have granted townships the authority to enact local ordinances intended to promote and advance public health and safety. As elected officers of the township, we maintain the right to our individual opinions on issues brought before us. My personal priority is to ensure that both sides of every issue receive a fair and meaningful debate. I do not vote as an individual, but rather as a representative of the residents who elected me. To provide context, while I am personally against the chemical treatment of our lakes, I previously voted in favor of it because a majority of the lakefront residents informed the board that they wanted the lake cleaned. My decisions are not based solely on my personal opinion, but are guided by our master plan, zoning ordinances, and the needs of our full-time and non-resident stakeholders. I must consider several critical factors, including traffic increases on public and private drives, population density on lots smaller than 12,000 square feet, and the impact on our inland lakes given our lack of public sewer and water systems. Additionally, I evaluate the financial costs to the township, the strain on emergency services, and how short-term rentals affect public health and safety. I will not be signing either petition at this time, as I recognize the merits of both sides of the issue. This will be a difficult decision, but the township is committed to providing a transparent debate to reach a reasonable final conclusion. It is my hope that all township officials will thoroughly examine these complexities to ensure we make the best decision for the community. Your survey appears focused solely on gathering signatures rather than addressing the broader impact on the township as a whole. Best regards, Kenneth Speicher”

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Petition created on February 2, 2026