SUMMER COMMUNITY CORPORATION S.B. 658: ENROLLED ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 658 (as enrolled) PUBLIC ACT 45 of 2006
Sponsor: Senator Jason E. Allen
Senate Committee: Economic Development, Small Business and Regulatory Reform
House Committee: Commerce
Date Completed: 2-12-07
RATIONALE
In 1875, a group of Methodists decided to establish a summer colony in an area northeast of Petoskey, on Little Traverse Bay. Today, the institution is known as the Bay View Association of the United Methodist Church. The Association operates summer musical programs, recreational activities, worship services, weekday lectures, and educational seminars, all open to the public. The Association is a National Historic Landmark community, and currently consists of more than 30 public buildings, 440 cottages, and two inns situated on 337 acres.
The Bay View Association is incorporated under Public Act 39 of 1889, which allows the incorporation of an association to purchase property for summer homes, camp meetings, and the meetings and assemblies of various associations and societies. Previously, an association incorporated under the Act could not own or hold more than 350 acres of land. Some people were concerned that the 350-acre limit could inhibit Bay View Association's ability to shield the land from nearby development, and suggested that the maximum acreage be raised.
CONTENT
The bill amended Public Act 39 of 1889 to allow an association incorporated under the Act to own or hold up to 1,000 acres of land, rather than 350 acres.
The bill took effect on March 2, 2006.
MCL 455.54
ARGUMENTS
(Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)
Supporting Argument
The township surrounding the Bay View Association has grown significantly over the years, and some people were worried about erosion within its 167-acre wooded area caused by nearby development. Evidently, the woods fill up with mud and water that overflows from developments above Bay View, and the Association had to put in 40-long coir erosion control bundles to stabilize the banks of the stream that runs through the woods--which are open to the public and contain seven miles of interpreted trails. Increasing the statutory acreage limit gives the Association flexibility on the borders of its property to react to further erosion threats. The increased size limit also may benefit other associations incorporated under the 1889 Act.
Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
Suzanne Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill will have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: David ZinAnalysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb658/0506