Inland Lake Keyhole Development: An Analysis of Local Zoning Approaches

Abstract

Increased population, leisure time, and disposable income have combined to place enormous strains on many inland lakes across the country. Nowhere are these pressures as great as on inland lakes near large urban areas. Yet even lakes within three to four hours of major metropolitan areas are showing signs of severe strain from “wall to wall” cottage development and intensive surface use. As a result, owners of often-expensive lakefront property are increasingly going to court to protect riparian rights they feel are threatened by intensive waterfront development proposals and greater surface water use. This is a national trend and is especially evident in the midwestern states of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (each with more than 10,000 lakes), which are facing many new keyhole development proposals.