By TEREASA NIMS
Sunday Times Newspapers
RIVERVIEW – The city’s boat ramp ordinance may be headed for a change to prevent charters from using the ramp.
“We have a problem with people taking charters out of our boat ramp,” Mayor Tim Durand said. “It’s not legal for people to operate business out of our boat ramp.”
Durand said charters take spots from resident boaters and the issue needs to be addressed.
“We are going to address the problem, probably increase the fines for people doing this,” Durand said, “possibly tighten the ordinance.”
City Ordinance 665 prohibits use of the boat ramp for business purposes.
The city opened the ramp to non-residents a few years ago as a goodwill gesture and to raise money. Durand said it’s becoming a hindrance and the city needs to look at ways to curb that.
“That’s what we’re going to be doing over the next few months,” Durand said.
Permits for the boat ramp — on Bridge Road next to the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge — are $25 for residents and $100 for non-residents.