4-story condos planned for former chamber office site; Don’t worry, it’ll still be a log cabin!

Rumors that a four-story condo development would be built on the site of the Chamber of Commerce log cabin were confirmed by the City Planning Department on Monday, April 1st. The project was made possible by the chamber’s planned move to another building and the planners’ recent decision that downtown buildings could be built as high as 45 ft., and not limited to three stories. Planning Director Scott MacPhearsome said that the new height restrictions make sense, given that 15-ft. ceilings are impractical and  local teacher Randy Calcaterra, who is 6 ft. 9 inches tall, is “probably the only person who would appreciate such extra height in a three-story building.” When some local residents panned the project as it was announced on Facebook, MacPhearsome sought to appease them by noting that the new condos would also be a giant log cabin, keeping with the same “Hometown feel, small town appeal” as the chamber log cabin, although “somewhat larger.” He noted that parking for the projected 40-unit project would not be a problem, as developers plan to make use of parking at the former Carter’s Store on the east end of town with shuttle vans running condo residents back and forth several times a day.
> LATE BULLETIN - Boyne City Police report that former Chamber Director Scott MacKenzie has chained himself to the front door of the chamber log cabin to prevent bulldozers from destroying the structure. Stay tuned for updates.