Catawba Island Township Board of Township Trustees
Zoning Hearing
The Zoning Hearing was called to order by Chairman William Rofkar on Tuesday December 9, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. in the conference room of the administration building. The purpose of the meeting was to hear the Request for Zoning Amendment (Case #737779) for H.T. Properties, Inc. The meeting was open to the public and was advertised.
In attendance were: Diane Belden, Matt Montowski, William Rofkar, Shelly Garcia, Vicki Wheatley, Drew Bauer, Quintin Smith, Jim DeNu, David Crawford, Gary Boltz, Greg Boltz, John Memmer, Louis Sedlak, Ann Rumpf, Barb Osterling, Flint Heidlebaugh, Thomas Eaton, Fran Eaton, William Baker, David Belden, Maryalice Francis, Claudia Anastasopoulos, Andrew Prephan and Scott Prephan
The meeting was turned over to trustee Matt Montowski who oversees zoning. Matt read Application #737779. The applicant is Scott Prephan, H.T. Properties Inc. They are requesting a zoning map amendment for part of Parcel #0131960528018003 and part of Parcel #0131960528018001 from the “A” district to “C-4” district.
The described area use is: Amenity area for Midway Marina.
Fiscal Officer, Shelly Garcia read two letters that were submitted.
Ann T. Rumpf submitted a letter to the trustees stating that while she understands it makes no sense to have “A” zoning in the middle of “C4” zoning which is the issue in this case. She asks that the trustees consider attaching the condition that a condo cannot be built at the site to prevent future owners or even the present owner from deciding that if they choose to do so even though they have stated that is not the intent of this request.
Letter from Jim DeNu urging the board to exercise heightened scrutiny and preform a thorough due diligence review on all ownership and financial backing related to proposed developments. This stems from Scott Prephan openly stating its primary mission is to “match foreign investors with premium real estate opportunities” in the US, specifically highlighting Chinese and Asian-based business expansion. He lists various ways this could potentially affect property at Orchard Isle and also gives his request to the trustees on how they can protect the long-term integrity and security of Catawba Island property.
Matt Montowski gave Shelly Garcia letters from both Ottawa Regional Planning Commission and CIT Zoning Commission to read into record. Ottawa Regional Planning met on November 18, 2025 and voted to recommend approval of the rezoning case based on the CIT Land Use Plan. The CIT Zoning Commission met on November 19, 2025 and also voted to recommend to the Trustees approval of Case #737779.
Matt Montowski then asked Mr. Prephan if he would like to present anything to the trustees. Mr. Prephan stated that everything they are proposing in the application conforms to the Land Use Plan. He stated that no one really knows why this section of land is zoned “A” when everything around it is zoned “C-4”. They are just looking to make this conform.
He stated that they are looking to dramatically upgrade the amenities at the marina by upgrading the docks, new water/sewar, and the long-term plan is to put amenities in the center of the area (pickleball courts, a new pool, outdoor area and a pavilion). He then presented the trustees with a visual of the area he is referring to. It is a small parcel (“A”) surrounded by “C-4”. He stated as it stands it is not in conformance with the Land Use Plan. He said the total acreage is about 20, but about 80% of that is under water.
Diane Belden then asked Matt if she could speak for a second because she had a personal appointment that she had to get to and needed to leave the meeting. She stated that the other two trustees would have to take a vote without her. William Rofkar spoke up and stated that he is not comfortable doing that. He stated there is a board sitting here where two members will not be here come January (William Rofkar and Matt Montwoski), and the one member that will be here to see this issue through (Diane Belden) should be voting. He stated that if Diane will not be here to follow through with this meeting, then she should request a continuation.
Matt Montwoski stated that it would need to be heard before December 19, 2025 due to the deadlines.
William Rofkar apologized to the audience members as some drove over two hours to be at the meeting today. William stated that he was not expecting this, and explained to the audience that with zoning everything must be done to the letter of the law and must be done legally. He stated it is a huge problem if not done correctly.
He stated that in order to meet the deadline, they will need to meet again to hear this case before December 19, 2025.
They chose the date of Tuesday December 16, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at the administration building to continue this case.
There was no motion for adjournment needed. The meeting ended at 10:54 a.m.
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William Rofkar, Chairman Shelly Garcia, Fiscal Officer