Community working to prevent sale of Torch Lake frontage
ANTRIM COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking to sell a plot of land in northern Michigan.
But the people who live nearby worry access to Torch Lake could be in jeopardy.
The parcel the DNR is putting up for auction has 200 feet of frontage on Torch Lake.
DNR officials said when they bought the property in the 90s, the plan was to build a boat access site.
“There was some pushback from the township and some of the adjacent landowners at the time that they did not want a boat access site and the township and next door to their property," said DNR Resource Specialist Mike Michalek. "So the DNR did not put an access site on that parcel."
Right now, the land is up for bid at a minimum of $250,000.
On Monday, people gathered at White Farms to come up with options to stop the auction, such as legal measures, talking to representatives or asking the township to advocate for their cause.
Many signed a petition to protect the land and prevent it from being developed - a priority for many people who don't live on the lake but still want access to it.
“This is very convenient for the southern Torch Lake Township residents," said Torch Lake Township resident James King. "I just would love to see it turned into a natural area. I mean I don’t want any development.”
The auction for the property ends on June 15th.
The DNR said the money from the sale will go toward funding other projects.
